[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 17, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66031-66032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32946]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 961107312-7021-02; I.D. 120897B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Apportionment of Reserve

ACTION: Apportionment of reserve; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS apportions reserve to certain target species in the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is 
necessary to account for previous harvest of the total allowable catch 
(TAC). It is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the North 
Pacific Fishery Management Council.

DATES: Effective December 16, 1997. Comments must be received no later 
than 4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, January 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Susan Salveson, Assistant Regional 
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, 709 
West 9th Street, Room 453, Juneau, AK 99801 or P.O. Box 21688, Juneau, 
AK 99802, Attn: Lori Gravel.

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

[[Page 66032]]

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. 
vessels is governed by regulations implementing the FMP at subpart H of 
50 CFR parts 600 and 679.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 
initial TACs specified for Greenland turbot in the Bering Sea subarea 
and squid and ``other species'' in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
subarea need to be supplemented from the non-specific reserve in order 
to continue operations and account for prior harvest.
    Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(b)(3), NMFS apportions 
from the reserve to TACs for the following species: Bering Sea 
subarea--2,245 metric tons (mt) to Greenland turbot; Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands subareas--295 mt to squid, 3,870 mt to ``other 
species.''
    The apportionments are consistent with Sec. 679.20(b)(1)(ii) and do 
not result in overfishing of a target species or the ``other species'' 
category because the revised TACs are equal to or less than 
specifications of acceptable biological catch.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O 12866.
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, has determined, 
under section 553(b)(3)(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 prior 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 those 
ongoing operations.

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

    Date: December 11, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32946 Filed 12-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F