[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28209]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 971208298-8055-02; I.D. 101698A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock by 
Vessels Catching Pollock for Processing by the Offshore Component in 
the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area

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

ACTION: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in the Bering 
Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the amount of the 
1998 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in the Bering 
Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 19, 
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. 679.20(c)(3)(iii), the Final 1998 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (63 FR 12689, March 16, 1998) 
established the amount of the 1998 pollock TAC apportioned to vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in the Bering 
Sea subarea of the BSAI as 667,388 metric tons (mt).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the amount 
of the 1998 pollock TAC apportioned to vessels catching pollock for 
processing by the offshore component in the Bering Sea subarea of the 
BSAI will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is 
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 662,388 mt, and is setting 
aside the remaining 5,000 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated 
groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the 
Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will 
soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for 
pollock by vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore 
component in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 in order 
to prevent overharvesting the amount of the 1998 pollock TAC 
apportioned to vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore 
component in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. A delay in the 
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 
The fleet has already taken the amount of the 1998 pollock TAC 
apportioned to vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore 
component in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. Further delay would 
only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the 
implementation of this action can not 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: October 16, 1998.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-28209 Filed 10-16-98; 1:13 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F