[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 49296-49297] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-24619] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 090998A] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Modification of a closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully utilize the 1998 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in this area. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 9, 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 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 pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the GOA as 29,790 metric tons (mt). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has established a directed fishing allowance of 29,590 mt, and set aside the remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. [[Page 49297]] The fishery for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the GOA was closed to directed fishing under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on September 2, 1998, (63 FR 47439, September 8, 1998). NMFS has determined that as of September 8, 1998, 8,000 mt remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the GOA. Classification 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 pollock 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 pollock 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. 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: September 9, 1998. Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-24619 Filed 9-9-98; 5:04 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F