[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 190 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26288]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208298-8055-02; I.D. 092898A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock by 
Trawl Vessels Using Nonpelagic Trawl Gear in Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for pollock by trawl vessels 
using nonpelagic trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the 1998 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl 
pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery category.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 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 
BSAI exclusive economic zone 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. 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. 679.21(e)(3)(iv)(F), the Final 1998 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (63 FR 12689, March 16, 1998) 
established the 1998 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for 
the BSAI pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery category as 
324 metric tons.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1998 Pacific halibut bycatch 
allowance specified for the trawl pollock/Atka mackerel/``other 
species'' fishery in the BSAI has been caught. Consequently, NMFS is 
closing directed fishing for pollock by trawl vessels using nonpelagic 
trawl gear in the BSAI.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations 
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent exceeding the 1998 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified 
for the trawl pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery category 
in the BSAI. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. The fleet will soon take the Pacific 
halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl pollock/Atka 
mackerel/``other species'' fishery category in the BSAI. Further delay 
would only result in exceeding the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance. 
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. 679.21 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: September 28, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26288 Filed 9-28-98; 2:03 pm]
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