[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 207 (Monday, October 27, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28420]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

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


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation 
of Pacific Cod

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

ACTION: Reallocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific 
cod from trawl catcher/processors to vessels using hook-and-line or pot 
gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) and 
is reallocating Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear to vessels 
using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI. These actions are 
necessary to allow the 1997 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod 
to be harvested. They are intended to promote the goals and objectives 
of the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering 
Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMP).

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.) October 22, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the FMP prepared by the 
North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Fishing by 
U.S. vessels is governed by regulations implementing the FMP at subpart 
H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(5), the Pacific cod TAC for the 
BSAI was established as 270,000 metric tons (mt) by the Final 1997 
Harvest Specifications for Groundfish for the BSAI (62 FR 7168, 
February 18, 1997). Of this amount, 5,400 mt was allocated to vessels 
using jig gear, 126,900 mt to vessels using trawl gear, and 137,700 mt 
to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear. The amount of Pacific cod 
TAC allocated to trawl gear vessels was further allocated 50 percent to 
catcher vessels (63,450 mt) and 50 percent (63,450 mt) to catcher/
processor vessels pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
    Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A) NMFS made the projected unused 
amount of trawl catcher/processor Pacific cod (2,000 mt) available to 
the trawl catcher vessel sector. The trawl catcher vessel portion was 
increased to 65,450 mt (62 FR 51609, October 2, 1997).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), 
has determined that trawl catcher/processors will not be able to 
harvest 10,000 (mt) of Pacific cod allocated to those vessels under 
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(A).
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii), NMFS 
apportions the projected unused amount, 10,000 mt of Pacific cod from 
vessels using trawl gear to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear.
    The Regional Administrator has determined that vessels using jig 
gear will not harvest 5,000 mt of Pacific cod by the end of the year. 
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(iii) NMFS is 
reallocating the unused amount of 5,000 mt of Pacific cod allocated to 
vessels using jig gear to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from OMB 
review under E.O. 12866.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, has determined, 
under section 553(b)(B) and (d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act 
and 50 CFR 679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A), that good cause exists for waiving the 
opportunity for public comment and the 30-day delayed effectiveness 
period for this action. Fisheries are currently taking place that will 
be supplemented by this apportionment. Delaying the implementation of 
this action would be disruptive and costly to these ongoing operations.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: October 22, 1997.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-28420 Filed 10-22-97; 2:14 pm]
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