Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Closures of Specified Groundfish Fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

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(d), if the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) determines that the amount of a target species or ``other species'' category apportioned to a fishery will be reached, the Regional Administrator may establish a directed fishing allowance for that species or species group. If the Regional Administrator establishes a directed fishing allowance, and that allowance is or will be reached before the end of the fishing year, NMFS will prohibit directed fishing for that species or species group in the specified subarea or district (Sec. 697.20(d)(1)(iii)). Similarly, under Sec. 679.21(e), if the Regional Administrator determines that a fishery category's bycatch allowance of halibut, red king crab, or C. bairdi Tanner crab for a specified area has been reached, the Regional Administrator will prohibit directed fishing for each species in that category in the specified area. NMFS will publish interim 1999 harvest specifications for these groundfish fisheries in the January 4, 1999, publication of the Federal Register. The Regional Administrator has determined that the interim TAC amounts of the following species will be reached and will be necessary as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries prior to the time that final specifications for groundfish are likely to be in effect for the 1999 fishing year. Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(i), the Regional Administrator establishes these interim TAC amounts as directed fishing allowances.

Pollock: Bogoslof District Pacific ocean perch: Bering Sea subarea ``Other rockfish'': Bering Sea subarea ``Other red rockfish'': Bering Sea subarea Sharpchin/northern rockfish: Aleutian Islands subarea Shortraker/rougheye rockfish: Aleutian Islands subarea ``Other rockfish'': Aleutian Islands subarea

Further, the Regional Administrator finds that these directed fishing allowances will be reached before the end of the year. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for these species in the specified areas. In addition, the interim BSAI halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rockfish fishery and the trawl Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/ sablefish fishery categories, defined at Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(iv)(C) and (D), is 0 mt. In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(iv), therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the following species:

Rockfish by vessels using trawl gear: BSAI Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/sablefish by vessels using trawl gear: BSAI

These closures will be in effect beginning at 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 1999, until superseded by the notice of Final 1999 Initial Harvest Specifications for Groundfish. The maximum retainable bycatch amounts at Sec. 679.20 (e) and (f) apply at any time during a fishing trip while these closures are in effect. These closures to directed fishing are in addition to closures and prohibitions found in regulations at 50 CFR part 679. Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas. In the BSAI, ``Other rockfish'' includes Sebastes and Sebastolobus species, except for Pacific ocean perch and the ``other red rockfish'' species. ``Other red rockfish'' includes shortraker, rougheye, sharpchin, and northern rockfish. NMFS may implement other closures under the interim specifications, at the time the notice of Final 1999 Initial Harvest Specifications are implemented or during the 1999 fishing year, as necessary for effective conservation and management.

Classification

This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. This action responds to the interim TAC limitations and other restrictions on the fisheries established in the interim 1999 harvest specifications for groundfish for the BSAI. It must be implemented immediately to prevent overharvesting the 1999 interim TAC of several groundfish species in the BSAI. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet will begin to harvest groundfish on January 1, 1999. Further delay would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this action should not be delayed for 30 days. Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is hereby waived.

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

Dated: December 29, 1998. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-34832 Filed 12-30-98; 3:06 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P