[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 236 (Tuesday, December 9, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32072]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 970613138-7138-01; I.D. 120297A]


Scallop Fishery Off Alaska, Scallops in the Northeast District of 
Registration Area K

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

ACTION: Closure; Inseason adjustment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the fishery for scallops in the Northeast 
District of Registration Area K to prevent overfishing for scallops in 
this District. It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of 
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 3, 
1997, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., June 30, 1998. Comments must be received 
at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., December 18, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Susan Salveson, Chief, Sustainable 
Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 
99802, Attn: Lori Gravel, or be delivered to the fourth floor of the 
Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The scallop fishery off Alaska in the 
exclusive economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery Off 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 
F of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    The 1997 total allowable catch for scallops in Registration Area K, 
which includes the Northeast District, was established by the 1997-98 
Harvest Specifications (62 FR 34182, June 25, 1997) as 400,000 pounds 
(181.4 metric tons (mt)) of shucked scallop meat. As of November 17, 
1997, 96,000 pounds (43.54 mt) of shucked scallop meat have been caught 
in the Northeast District.
    The Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Commercial Fisheries 
Management and Development Division, has monitored the scallop fishery 
in the Northeast District since the fishery opened on August 11, 1997. 
Harvest rates peaked in early September and have declined steadily. The 
Alaska Department of Fish and Game is concerned for the localized 
depletion of the scallop stocks in the Northeast District.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in 
accordance with Secs. 679.63(a), 679.25(a)(1)(i), and 
679.25(a)(2)(i)(A), that on the basis of the best available scientific 
information, the closure of the scallop season within the Northeast 
District of Area Registration K is necessary to prevent overfishing of 
this stock of scallops. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting the taking and 
retention of scallops in the Federal waters of the Northeast District 
of Registration Area K.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds for good 
cause that providing prior notice and public comment or delaying the 
effective date of this action is impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest. Immediate effectiveness is necessary to prevent 
localized overfishing for scallops in the Northeast District of 
Registration Area K. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C 553(d), a delay in the 
effective date is hereby waived.
    This action is required by Sec. 679.63 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: December 3, 1997.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32072 Filed 12-3-97; 2:52 pm]
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