[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 10569-10570] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-5508] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 971208296-7296-01; I.D. 022598C] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inshore Component 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 [[Page 10570]] pollock for processing by the inshore 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 first seasonal allowance of the pollock total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the inshore component in the BS of the BSAI. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 26, 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 is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMP) as 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 first seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC apportioned to vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the inshore component in the BS of the BSAI was established as 151,279 metric tons (mt) by the 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 first seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC apportioned to vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the inshore component in the BS of the BSAI will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 146,279 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 5,000 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 will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in the BS of the BSAI. This closure is effective from February 26, 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 first seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC apportioned to vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the inshore 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 first seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC apportioned to vessels harvesting pollock for processing by the inshore 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. Dated: February 26, 1998. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-5508 Filed 2-26-98; 4:59 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F