Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 072894A]

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Apportionment of reserve.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is apportioning reserve to certain target species in the

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is

necessary to allow for ongoing harvest and account for previous harvest

of the total allowable catch (TAC).

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 8, 1994,

until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the U.S. BSAI

exclusive economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce

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

Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Fishing by U.S. vessels is

governed by regulations implementing the FMP at 50 CFR parts 620 and

675.

The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the initial

TACs specified for sablefish in the Bering Sea subarea (BS), for

sablefish and the sharpchin/northern rockfish species category in the

Aleutian Islands subarea (AI), and for Atka mackerel in the Central and

Western Aleutian Districts, need to be supplemented from the non-

specific reserve in order to continue operations and account for prior

harvest. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 675.20(b), NMFS is

apportioning from the reserve to TACs for the following species: (1)

For the BS - 81 metric tons (mt) to sablefish; (2) for the AI - 420 mt

to sablefish, and 850 mt to the sharpchin/northern rockfish species

category; (3) for the Central Aleutian District - 6,679 mt to Atka

mackerel; and (4) for the Western Aleutian District - 1,500 mt to Atka

mackerel.

These apportionments are consistent with Sec. 675.20(a)(2)(i) and

do not result in overfishing of a target species or the ``other

species'' category because the revised TACs are equal to or less than

specifications of acceptable biological catch.

Pursuant to Sec. 675.24(c)(1)(i) the apportionment of the BS

sablefish is allocated 41 mt to vessels using hook-and-line or pot

gear, and 40 mt to vessels using trawl gear. Pursuant to

Sec. 675.24(c)(1)(ii) the apportionment of the AI sablefish is

allocated 315 mt to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear, and 105 mt

to vessels using trawl gear.

This apportionment was proposed in the Federal Register at 59 FR

39725, August 4, 1994, requesting public comment. The public comment

period ended on August 19, 1994. No comments were received.

Classification

This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.20 and is exempt from review

under E.O. 12866.

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, (AA) has

determined, under section 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure

Act, that good cause exists for waiving the 30-day delayed

effectiveness period for this rule. Fisheries are currently taking

place that will be benefited by this rule. Delaying the effective date

would be disruptive and costly to these ongoing operations. Therefore,

the AA is waiving the 30- day delayed effectiveness period for this

action so that it may be effective immediately.

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

Dated: September 2, 1994.

David S. Crestin,

Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,

National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 94-22366 Filed 9-8-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F