[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20443]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 072498G]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Sablefish by 
Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska

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


ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of sablefish by vessels using 
trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). 
NMFS is requiring that catch of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear 
in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and 
discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary 
because the allocation of the sablefish 1998 total allowable catch 
(TAC) assigned to trawl gear in this area has been reached.


DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 28, 1998, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1998.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for the Groundfish Fishery 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(a)(4)(ii)(B), the Final 1998 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (63 FR 12027, March 12, 1998) 
established the allocation of the 1998 sablefish TAC assigned to trawl 
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA as 1,264 metric tons 
(mt).

    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the allocation of the sablefish TAC 
assigned to trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has 
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of 
sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with 
Sec. 679.21(b).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the allocation of the sablefish TAC assigned to 
trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the 
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 
The fleet has taken the allocation of the sablefish TAC assigned to 
trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area. Further delay would only 
result in overharvest. 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.

    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 24, 1998.

Bruce C. Morehead,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-20443 Filed 7-27-98; 4:53 pm]

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