[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 127 (Thursday, July 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17668]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208298-8055-02; I.D. 062498A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Trawl 
Rockfish Fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is terminating the closure to directed fishing for 
rockfish with trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the directed 
fishery for rockfish with trawl gear to occur consistent with the 
specified halibut mortality allowance.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 1, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 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. vessels is governed by regulations 
implementing the FMP at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 
679.
    The 1998 prohibited species bycatch mortality allowance of halibut 
for the BSAI trawl rockfish fishery category, which is defined at 
Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(iv)(D), was established as 69 mt by the Final 1998 
Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (63 FR 12689, March 
16, 1998). The halibut bycatch allowance to the rockfish fishery was 
apportioned in a manner that prevented a directed rockfish fishery from 
opening until July 1, 1998. Therefore, in accordance with 
Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(iv), which has been renumbered as 
Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(v), the directed fishery for rockfish with trawl gear 
in the BSAI was closed at the beginning of the fishing year (63 FR 
12698, March 16, 1998). NMFS now is terminating the previous closure 
and is opening directed fishing for rockfish by vessels using trawl 
gear in the BSAI, effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 1, 1998. All other 
closures remain in full force and effect.
    The public is reminded that the Regional Administrator has 
determined that the total allowable catch amounts remaining for Pacific 
ocean perch, ``other rockfish'', and ``other red rockfish'' in the 
Bering Sea subarea (BS); and sharpchin/northern rockfish, shortraker/
rougheye rockfish, and ``other rockfish'' in the Aleutian Islands 
subarea (AI) are necessary as incidental catch to support other 
anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 1998 fishing year. In 
accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) NMFS prohibited directed fishing 
for these species effective through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 
1998. (63 FR 12698, March 16, 1998)

Classification

    Because this action relieves a restriction, the 30-day delayed 
effectiveness provision of the Administrative Procedure Act does not 
apply.
    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 26, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-17668 Filed 6-29-98; 3:18 am]
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