[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 21, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54592-54593]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27885]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 961107312-7021-02; I.D. 101697A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock by 
Vessels Catching Pollock for Processing by the Inshore Component in the 
Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management 
Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in the Bering 
Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the amount of the 
1997 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in the Bering 
Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 16, 
1997, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Area (FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council 
under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act. Fishing by U.S. processors is governed by regulations 
implementing the FMP at Subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 
679.
    The amount of the 1997 pollock TAC apportioned to vessels catching 
pollock for processing by the inshore component in the Bering Sea 
subarea of the BSAI was established by the Final 1997 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (62 FR 7168, February 18, 
1997) as 365,837 metric tons (mt). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the amount 
of the 1997 pollock TAC apportioned to vessels catching pollock for 
processing by the inshore component in the Bering Sea subarea of the 
BSAI has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is 
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 365,587 mt, and is setting 
aside the remaining 250 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated 
groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the 
Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will 
soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for 
pollock by vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore 
component in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be 
found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

[[Page 54593]]

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order 
to prevent overharvesting the amount of the 1997 pollock TAC 
apportioned to vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore 
component in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. Providing prior notice 
and an opportunity for public comment is impracticable and contrary to 
the public interest. The fleet has taken the amount of the 1997 pollock 
TAC apportioned to vessels catching pollock for processing by the 
inshore component in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. Further delay 
would only result in overharvest which would disrupt the FMP's 
objective of providing sufficient pollock as bycatch to support other 
anticipated groundfish fisheries. NMFS finds for good cause that the 
implementation of this action can not be delayed for 30 days. 
Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is 
hereby waived.

Classification

    This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: October 16, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-27885 Filed 10-18-97; 3:55 pm]
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