[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12688-12689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6599]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 031098A]
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-water
Species Fishery by Vessels using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the first seasonal
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the deep-water
species fishery in the GOA has been caught.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 10, 1998,
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7447.
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 prohibited species bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut for the
GOA trawl deep-water species fishery, which is defined at
Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(B), was established by the Final 1998 Harvest
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (published on March 12, 1998)
for the first season, the period January 20, 1998, through March 31,
1998, as 100 mt.
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the first
seasonal apportionment of the 1998 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance
specified for the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been
caught. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the
deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The
species and species groups that comprise the deep-water species fishery
are: all rockfish of the genera Sebastes and Sebastolobus, deep water
flatfish, Rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish.
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
Classification
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 apportionment of the 1998
Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-water
species fishery in the GOA. A delay in the effective date is
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The first seasonal
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the deep-water
species fishery in the GOA has been caught. Further delay would only
result in overharvest which would disrupt the FMP's objective of
apportioning Pacific halibut bycatch allowances throughout the year.
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.
This action is required by Sec. 679.21 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
[[Page 12689]]
Dated: March 10, 1998
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6599 Filed 3-11-98; 9:38 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F