[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 213 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 59623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29158]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 961126334-7025-02; I.D. 102997B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish in 
the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of sablefish by vessels using 
trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). 
NMFS is requiring that catches of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear 
in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and 
discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary 
because the allocation of the sablefish 1997 total allowable catch 
(TAC) assigned to trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA 
has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 30, 
1997, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (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.
    The allocation of the sablefish TAC assigned to trawl gear in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA was established by the Final 1997 
Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 8179, February 
24, 1997) as 1,282 metric tons (mt). (See Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(ii)(B).)
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20 (d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 
allocation of the sablefish TAC assigned to trawl gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is requiring that further catches of sablefish by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area be treated as 
prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21 (b).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information from the 
fishery. It must be implemented immediately to prevent overharvesting 
the 1997 TAC for sablefish assigned to trawl gear in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is 
impracticable and contrary to public interest. The trawl fleet will 
soon take the assigned TAC for sablefish. Further delay would only 
result in overharvest and disrupt the FMP's objective of limiting the 
harvest of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear. NMFS finds for good 
cause that the implementation of this action cannot be delayed for 30 
days. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date 
is hereby waived.
    This action is required by 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

Dated: October 29, 1997.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29158 Filed 10-30-97; 3:36 pm]
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