[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26032]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 092398D]


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.

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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 24, 
1998, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 25, 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. 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 14, 1998 (63 FR 49668, September 17, 1998).
    NMFS has determined that as of September 22, 1998, 1,200 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 effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 
24, 1998.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional 
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will soon be 
reached. Current information shows the catching capacity of vessels 
catching pollock is 1,200 mt per day.
    NMFS is closing directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 
610 of the GOA effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 25, 1998.
    All other closures remain in full force and effect.

Classification

    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 24, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26032 Filed 9-24-98; 4:24 pm]
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