[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 136 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38341-38342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18891]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 071098C]


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; ``Other 
Rockfish'' Species Group in the Eastern Regulatory Area

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 opening directed fishing for the ``other rockfish'' 
species group in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). This action is necessary to fully utilize the total allowable 
catch (TAC) of ``other rockfish'' in that area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 12, 1998, 
until 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
GOA exclusive economic zone 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. Regulations governing 
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H 
of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii), the Final 1998 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 12027, March 12, 1998) 
established the amount of the 1998 TAC of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska as 1,500 metric tons 
(mt). The Final 1998 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA 
also closed directed fishing for ``other rockfish'' in the Eastern 
Regulatory Area of the GOA (see Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii)) in anticipation 
that the TAC would be needed as incidental catch to support other 
anticipated groundfish fisheries during 1998.
    The Regional Administrator has determined that the entire TAC for 
``other rockfish'' will not be needed as incidental catch and is 
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,400 mt and is setting 
aside the remaining 100 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated 
groundfish fisheries.

[[Page 38342]]

    NMFS has determined that as of July 9, 1998, 1,400 mt remain in the 
directed fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous 
closure and is opening directed fishing for ``other rockfish'' in the 
Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA.
    All other closures remain in full force and effect. This action 
responds to the best available information recently obtained from the 
fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order to allow full 
utilization of the ``other rockfish'' TAC. Providing prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment for this action is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. Further delay would only disrupt the 
FMP objective of providing the ``other rockfish'' TAC for harvest. NMFS 
finds for good cause that the implementation of this action cannot be 
delayed for 30 days. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the 
effective date is hereby waived. All other closures remain in full 
force and effect.

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: July 10, 1998.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-18891 Filed 7-10-98; 4:48 pm]
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