[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 32765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15996]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 061198A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 630

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of 
pollock total allowable catch (TAC) in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 12, 1998, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Pearson, 907-486-6919.

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 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 was established by the 
Final 1998 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 
12027, March 12, 1998) as 39,315 metric tons (mt) for the entire 1998 
fishing year. In accordance with Sec. 679.20 (a)(5)(ii)(B), the second 
seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 is 14,040 
mt.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the second 
seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 will be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 13,540 mt and is setting aside the 
remaining 500 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 
in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts can be found in the regulations 
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

Classification

    This action responds to the second seasonal TAC limitations and 
other restrictions on the fisheries established in the Final 1998 
Harvest Specifications for Groundfish for the GOA as amended (63 FR 
12027, March 12, 1998). It must be implemented immediately to prevent 
overharvesting the second seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in 
Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay would 
only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the 
implementation of this action should 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. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: June 11, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15996 Filed 6-11-98; 4:06 pm]
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