[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9745-9746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4847]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208296-7296-01; I.D. 022098A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Offshore 
Component of Pollock in the Bering Sea Subarea

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

ACTION: Closure.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in the Bering 
Sea subarea (BS) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the proposed 
first seasonal allowance of pollock apportioned to vessels harvesting 
pollock for processing by the offshore component in the BS.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 20, 
1998, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 15, 1998.

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.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(2)(ii), the proposed first 
seasonal allowance of pollock for vessels catching pollock for 
processing by the offshore component in the BS of the BSAI was 
established as 280,946 metric tons (mt) by the Interim 1998 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (62 FR 65626, December 15, 
1998).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the proposed 
first seasonal allowance of pollock for vessels catching pollock for 
processing by the offshore component in the BS has been reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed 
fishing allowance of 253,946 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 
27,000 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 has been reached. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by 
vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in 
the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
    This closure is effective from February 20, 1998, through 1200 hrs, 
A.l.t., April 15, 1998. Under Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i), the second seasonal 
allowance of pollock TAC will become available for directed fishing at 
1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1998. Maximum retainable bycatch amounts 
for applicable gear types may be found in the regulations at 
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order 
to prevent overharvesting the proposed first seasonal allowance of 
pollock for vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore 
component in the BS of the BSAI. A delay in the effective date is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet has 
already taken the proposed first seasonal allowance of pollock for 
vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in 
the BS 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.

[[Page 9746]]

    Dated: February 20, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4847 Filed 2-20-98; 3:51 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F