[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 207 (Tuesday, October 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57255-57256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28646]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 971208297-8054-02; I.D. 102098E]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
in the Western Regulatory Area 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 Pacific cod by vessels
catching Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of
Alaska (GOA) for processing by both the inshore and offshore
components. This action is necessary to fully utilize the total
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in that area.
DATES: Dates Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October
21, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Hindman, 907-581-2062.
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(a)(6)(iii), the allowance of the
Pacific cod TAC apportioned for vessels catching Pacific cod for
processing by the inshore and offshore components in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA was established as: 20,853 metric tons (mt)
inshore, and 2,317 mt offshore, by the
[[Page 57256]]
Final 1998 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish (63 FR 12027, March
12, 1998) and subsequent apportionment of reserves (63 FR 18848, April
16, 1998).
The inshore component fishery for Pacific cod in the Western
Regulatory Area was closed to directed fishing under
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on October 11, 1998, (63 FR 55341, October 15,
1998).
The offshore component fishery for Pacific cod in the Western
Regulatory Area was closed to directed fishing under
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on March 11, 1998 (63 FR 12697, March 16, 1998).
NMFS has determined that as of October 15, 1998, approximately
1,100 mt remain in the inshore component directed fishing allowance,
and 2,000 mt remain in the offshore component directed fishing
allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closures and is
opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific
cod in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA for processing by both the
inshore and offshore components.
Fishermen are reminded that Pacific cod hook-and-line and trawl
gear fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska are closed (63 FR 45765, August
27, 1998) and (63 FR 55341, October 15, 1998).
NMFS is taking this action to prevent the underharvest of the
Pacific cod TAC in Statistical Area 610 as authorized by
Sec. 679.25(a)(2)(i)(C).
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 Pacific cod 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 Pacific cod TAC for harvest. NMFS finds
for good cause that 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: October 21, 1998.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director,Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-28646 Filed 10-21-98; 5:02 pm]
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