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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

CFR Citation: 50 CFR Part 679

Docket ID: [Docket No. 040907255-4343-02; I.D. 082704E]

RIN ID: RIN 0648-AS41

NOTICE: RULES

ACTION: Fishery conservation and management:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Revision of Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures for the Pollock and Pacific Cod Fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska

DATES: Effective January 19, 2005.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: NMFS publishes a final rule that revises Steller sea lion protection measures for the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The revisions adjust Pacific cod and pollock fishing closure areas near four Steller sea lion haulouts and modify the seasonal management of pollock harvest in the GOA. The intent of the revisions is to maintain protection for Steller sea lions and their critical habitat while easing the economic burden on GOA fishing communities. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MagnusonStevens Act), the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP), and other applicable laws.

SUMMARY: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone—; Pollock and Pacific cod,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The groundfish fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the GOA are managed under the FMP. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) prepared the FMP under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq. Regulations implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR part 679. General regulations governing U.S. fisheries also appear at 50 CFR part 600. Background

The western distinct population segment (DPS) of Steller sea lions has been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and critical habitat has been designated for this DPS (50 CFR 226.202). Temporal and spatial harvest restrictions were established for the groundfish fisheries of Alaska (68 FR 204, January 2, 2003) to protect Steller sea lions from jeopardy of extinction and their critical habitat from adverse modification or destruction from the effects of these fisheries. Pollock and Pacific cod are important prey species for Steller sea lions, and these protection measures apply to the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries in the GOA.

In June 2004, the Council unanimously recommended revisions to the Steller sea lion protection measures in the GOA to alleviate some of the economic burden on coastal communities while maintaining protection for Steller sea lions and their critical habitat. These revisions adjust pollock and Pacific cod fishing closures near four Steller sea lion haulouts and revise seasonal management of pollock harvest. NMFS concluded that fishing under the proposed revisions is not likely to affect Steller sea lions or their critical habitat beyond those effects already considered in the 2000 FMP Biological Opinion (BiOp), the 2001 BiOp on the Steller sea lion protection measures, and the June 19, 2003 supplement to the 2001 BiOp (see ADDRESSES). NMFS has determined that this action could provide some economic relief to participants in the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries while maintaining protection for Steller sea lions and their critical habitat.

The proposed rule for this action was published in the Federal Register on September 21, 2004 (69 FR 56384) with a comment period ending October 21, 2004. The details of each regulatory revision are contained in the proposed rule for this action. No changes were made from the proposed rule in the final rule.

Comments and Responses

Three emails and two letters containing seven separate comments were received regarding the proposed rule. The comments are summarized and responded to below.

Comment 1: The commercial fishers are taking all of the fish so the Steller sea lions have nothing to eat. The commercial fishers should be thrown out of the GOA.

Response: Several species of groundfish, notably pollock and Pacific cod, are important prey species for Steller sea lions in the GOA and are also targeted by the GOA groundfish fisheries. The pollock and Pacific cod fisheries potentially compete with Steller sea lions by reducing the availability of prey for foraging sea lions. However, this potential competition between commercial fishers and Steller sea lions for pollock and Pacific cod is addressed by regulations that limit the total amount of catch and impose temporal and spatial controls on harvest. These Steller sea lion protection measures are designed to preserve prey abundance and availability for foraging sea lions.

Comment 2: The fishers are catching double what they are reporting, and no one checks that what they have on board is what they are reporting. When checked, the amount of fish on board is usually double what they have reported. Vessels should be seized, and the captain and crew should be jailed for a year for abusing the sacred trust to responsibly harvest groundfish.

Response: NMFS disagrees with the commentor's assertion that groundfish fishers systematically underreport their catch. The recordkeeping and reporting requirements in these fisheries are comprehensive, and NMFS and United States Coast Guard law enforcement officers conduct numerous vessel boardings each year. Reporting violations occur, but they are relatively rare and are prosecuted pursuant to the MagnusonStevens Act.

Comment 3: Quotas should be cut by 50 percent the first year and 10 percent each year after. Overfishing is occurring. Marine sanctuaries should be established.

Response: This action revises certain Steller sea lion protection measures in the GOA, but does not specify groundfish harvest levels. The specification of harvest levels is done by separate rulemaking during the harvest specifications process. NMFS encourages the commentor to submit comments on the proposed 2005 and 2006 fishery specifications when they are published in the Federal Register for public comment. However, NMFS disagrees with the commentor's assertion that overfishing is occurring in the groundfish fisheries. NMFS manages these fisheries on a sustainable basis and notes that none of the groundfish stocks off Alaska is overfished. Additionally, this action does not address the creation of marine sanctuaries. The January 2004 draft
[[Page 75866]]
environmental impact statement for essential fish habitat discusses the effects of fishing on sensitive habitat features and evaluates a range of options for minimizing adverse effects, such as closing areas of rockfish habitat to bottom trawling. Further information on this draft EIS may be found at the NMFS Alaska Region website at
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov.

Comment 4: The Pew Foundation reports on overfishing and regional fishery management council bias and the United Nations report on overfishing are incorporated into the comments from this commentor.

Response: This action raises no issues related to overfishing or the membership of regional fishery management councils. The commentor's specific concerns and their relationship to these reports are not presented by the commentor. Because no further details are provided by the commentor, NMFS is unable to respond further to this comment.

Comment 5: The Council's decision to reduce Steller sea lion protection measures is an outrage. The protection measures were made years ago solely for the protection of Steller sea lions. To make changes now for the benefit of the fishing fleet is an outrage because the Steller sea lions are still listed as endangered. Policy was made and should be followed and not changed for the industry's benefit.

Response: NMFS disagrees with the commentor's assertion that this action fails to protect Steller sea lions and their critical habitat. The Steller sea lion protection measures were expected to be periodically reviewed and potentially changed based on new information regarding Steller sea lions and the fishing industry. NMFS has worked with the Council to identify impacts on the industry and new information that may lead to adapting the protection measures to ensure efficient and safe groundfish harvest while protecting Steller sea lions and their critical habitat. NMFS has determined that by revising the Pacific cod and pollock closure areas and improving the seasonal management of pollock with this final rule, the protection measures continue to protect Steller sea lions and their critical habitat from the potential effects of the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries.

Comment 6: Revisions to ESA protection measures should come from sound, scientific, factual evidence. The basis of any revisions should not be on ``informal consultations,'' on findings of ``not likely to adversely affect,'' or on ``could provide economic relief.'' NMFS should reconsider all of the proposed changes.

Response: NMFS agrees that agency decisions should be based on the best available scientific information. NMFS has used the best available scientific information in the development of this action and has reasonably determined that the revised measures adequately protect Steller sea lions and their critical habitat. Unfortunately, the best available scientific information frequently does not provide unequivocal answers regarding the effects of fisheries on the environment. NMFS has no additional information to justify reconsidering this action.

Comment 7: We support the proposed action. Revising the Steller sea lion protection measures will alleviate some economic burden on GOA communities and maintain protection for Steller sea lions. We hope the changes may be made in time for the 2005 fishing year.

Response: NMFS acknowledges the commentors' interest in alleviating economic burdens on GOA communities while maintaining protection for Steller sea lions and has strived to implement this final rule by early 2005.

Classification

This rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of Executive Order 12866.

The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration during the proposed rule stage that this action would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. No comments were received regarding this certification. As a result, a regulatory flexibility analysis was not required and none prepared.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

This action revises 50 CFR part 679 which describes the Steller sea lion protection measures for the Alaska groundfish fisheries. This action requires small entities in the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries to comply with the amended closure areas near four Steller sea lion haulouts. To facilitate compliance with all of the Steller sea lion protection area restrictions, NMFS provides a series of maps showing the closure areas and links to the regulations that may be viewed and downloaded at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/sustainablefisheries/2003hrvstspecssl.htm .

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 679

Alaska, Fisheries, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

Dated: December 13, 2004.
Rebecca Lent,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.
For reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 679 is amended as follows:
PART 679FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA 1. The authority citation for part 679 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., 1801 et seq., and 3631 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f); Pub. L. 105277, Title II of Division C; Pub. L. 10631, Sec. 3027; Pub. L.106554, Sec. 209; and Pub. L. 108199, Sec. 803.
2. In Sec. 679.20, paragraph (a)(5)(iii)(B) is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 679.20 General limitations.
* * * * *
(a) * * *
(5) * * *
(iii) * * *
(B) GOA Western and Central Regulatory Areas seasonal
apportionments. Each apportionment established under paragraph (a)(5)(iii)(A) of this section will be divided into four seasonal apportionments corresponding to the four fishing seasons set out at Sec. 679.23(d)(2) as follows: A Season, 25 percent; B Season, 25 percent; C Season, 25 percent; and D Season, 25 percent. Within any fishing year, underharvest or overharvest of a seasonal apportionment may be added to or subtracted from remaining seasonal apportionments in a manner to be determined by the Regional Administrator, provided that any revised seasonal apportionment does not exceed 20 percent of the seasonal TAC apportionment for the statistical area. The
reapportionment of underharvest will be applied to the subsequent season within the same statistical area up to the 20 percent limit specified in this paragraph. Any underharvest remaining beyond the 20 percent limit may be further apportioned to the subsequent season in the other statistical areas, in proportion to estimated biomass and in an amount no more than 20 percent of the seasonal TAC apportionment for the statistical area.
* * * * *
3. In Sec. 679.23, paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (d)(2)(iii) are revised to read as follows:
Sec. 679.23 Seasons.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(2) * * *
[[Page 75867]]
(i) A season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., January 20 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 10;
* * * * *
(iii) C season. From 1200 hours, A.l.t., August 25 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., October 1; and
* * * * *
4. Tables 4 and 5 to part 679 are revised to read as follows: Table 4 to 50 CFR Part 679 Steller Sea Lion Protection Areas Pollock Fisheries Restrictions Column Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pollock No Boundaries Boundaries Boundaries Boundaries fishing Zones Site Name Area or from from to\1\ to\1\ for Trawl Subarea Latitude Longitude Latitude Longitude Gear\2,8\ (nm) St. Lawrence I./S Punuk I. Bering Sea 63 04.00 N 168 51.00 W ........... ........... 20 St. Lawrence I./SW Cape Bering Sea 63 18.00 N 171 26.00 W ........... ........... 20 Hall I. Bering Sea 60 37.00 N 173 00.00 W ........... ........... 20 St. Paul I./Sea Lion Rock Bering Sea 57 06.00 N 170 17.50 W ........... ........... 3 St. Paul I./NE Pt. Bering Sea 57 15.00 N 170 06.50 W ........... ........... 3 Walrus I. (Pribilofs) Bering Sea 57 11.00 N 169 56.00 W ........... ........... 10 St. George I./Dalnoi Pt. Bering Sea 56 36.00 N 169 46.00 W ........... ........... 3 St. George I./S Rookery Bering Sea 56 33.50 N 169 40.00 W ........... ........... 3 Cape Newenham Bering Sea 58 39.00 N 162 10.50 W ........... ........... 20 Round (Walrus Islands) Bering Sea 58 36.00 N 159 58.00 W ........... ........... 20 Attu I./Cape Wrangell Aleutian I. 52 54.60 N 172 27.90 E 52 55.40 N 172 27.20 E 20 Agattu I./Gillon Pt. Aleutian I. 52 24.13 N 173 21.31 E ........... ........... 20 Attu I./Chirikof Pt. Aleutian I. 52 49.75 N 173 26.00 E ........... ........... 20 Agattu I./Cape Sabak Aleutian I. 52 22.50 N 173 43.30 E 52 21.80 N 173 41.40 E 20 Alaid I. Aleutian I. 52 46.50 N 173 51.50 E 52 45.00 N 173 56.50 E 20 Shemya I. Aleutian I. 52 44.00 N 174 08.70 E ........... ........... 20 Buldir I. Aleutian I. 52 20.25 N 175 54.03 E 52 20.38 N 175 53.85 E 20 Kiska I./Cape St. Stephen Aleutian I. 51 52.50 N 177 12.70 E 51 53.50 N 177 12.00 E 20 Kiska I./Sobaka & Vega Aleutian I. 51 49.50 N 177 19.00 E 51 48.50 N 177 20.50 E 20 Kiska I./Lief Cove Aleutian I. 51 57.16 N 177 20.41 E 51 57.24 N 177 20.53 E 20 Kiska I./Sirius Pt. Aleutian I. 52 08.50 N 177 36.50 E ........... ........... 20 Tanadak I. (Kiska) Aleutian I. 51 56.80 N 177 46.80 E ........... ........... 20 Segula I. Aleutian I. 51 59.90 N 178 05.80 E 52 03.06 N 178 08.80 E 20 Ayugadak Point Aleutian I. 51 45.36 N 178 24.30 E ........... ........... 20 Rat I./Krysi Pt. Aleutian I. 51 49.98 N 178 12.35 E ........... ........... 20 Little Sitkin I. Aleutian I. 51 59.30 N 178 29.80 E ........... ........... 20 Amchitka I./Column Rocks Aleutian I. 51 32.32 N 178 49.28 E ........... ........... 20 Amchitka I./East Cape Aleutian I. 51 22.26 N 179 27.93 E 51 22.00 N 179 27.00 E 20 Amchitka I./Cape Ivakin Aleutian I. 51 24.46 N 179 24.21 E ........... ........... 20 Semisopochnoi/Petrel Pt. Aleutian I. 52 01.40 N 179 36.90 E 52 01.50 N 179 39.00 E 20 Semisopochnoi I./Pochnoi Pt. Aleutian I. 51 57.30 N 179 46.00 E ........... ........... 20 Amatignak I. Nitrof Pt. Aleutian I. 51 13.00 N 179 07.80 W ........... ........... 20 Unalga & Dinkum Rocks Aleutian I. 51 33.67 N 179 04.25 W 51 35.09 N 179 03.66 W 20 Ulak I./Hasgox Pt. Aleutian I. 51 18.90 N 178 58.90 W 51 18.70 N 178 59.60 W 20 Kavalga I. Aleutian I. 51 34.50 N 178 51.73 W 51 34.50 N 178 49.50 W 20 Tag I. Aleutian I. 51 33.50 N 178 34.50 W ........... ........... 20 Ugidak I. Aleutian I. 51 34.95 N 178 30.45 W ........... ........... 20 Gramp Rock Aleutian I. 51 28.87 N 178 20.58 W ........... ........... 20 Tanaga I./Bumpy Pt. Aleutian I. 51 55.00 N 177 58.50 W 51 55.00 N 177 57.10 W 20 Bobrof I. Aleutian I. 51 54.00 N 177 27.00 W ........... ........... 20 Kanaga I./Ship Rock Aleutian I. 51 46.70 N 177 20.72 W ........... ........... 20 Kanaga I./North Cape Aleutian I. 51 56.50 N 177 09.00 W ........... ........... 20 Adak I. Aleutian I. 51 35.50 N 176 57.10 W 51 37.40 N 176 59.60 W 20 Little Tanaga Strait Aleutian I. 51 49.09 N 176 13.90 W ........... ........... 20 Great Sitkin I. Aleutian I. 52 06.00 N 176 10.50 W 52 06.60 N 176 07.00 W 20 Anagaksik I. Aleutian I. 51 50.86 N 175 53.00 W ........... ........... 20 Kasatochi I. Aleutian I. 52 11.11 N 175 31.00 W ........... ........... 20 Atka I./North Cape Aleutian I. 52 24.20 N 174 17.80 W ........... ........... 20 Amlia I./Sviech. Harbor\11\ Aleutian I. 52 01.80 N 173 23.90 W ........... ........... 20 Sagigik I.\11\ Aleutian I. 52 00.50 N 173 09.30 W ........... ........... 20 Amlia I./East\11\ AIX 52 05.70 N 172 59.00 W 52 05.75 N 172 57.50 W 20 Tanadak I. (Amlia\11\) Aleutian I. 52 04.20 N 172 57.60 W ........... ........... 20 Agligadak I.\11\ Aleutian I. 52 06.09 N 172 54.23 W ........... ........... 20 Seguam I./Saddleridge Pt.\11\ Aleutian I. 52 21.05 N 172 34.40 W 52 21.02 N 172 33.60 W 20 Seguam I./Finch Pt. Aleutian I. 52 23.40 N 172 27.70 W 52 23.25 N 172 24.30 W 20 Seguam I./South Side Aleutian I. 52 21.60 N 172 19.30 W 52 15.55 N 172 31.22 W 20 Amukta I. & Rocks Aleutian I. 52 27.25 N 171 17.90 W ........... ........... 20 Chagulak I. Aleutian I. 52 34.00 N 171 10.50 W ........... ........... 20 Yunaska I. Aleutian I. 52 41.40 N 170 36.35 W ........... ........... 20 Uliaga\3\ Bering Sea 53 04.00 N 169 47.00 W 53 05.00 N 169 46.00 W 20,10 Chuginadak Gulf of 52 46.70 N 169 41.90 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Kagamil\3\ Bering Sea 53 02.10 N 169 41.00 W ........... ........... 20,10 Samalga Gulf of 52 46.00 N 169 15.00 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
[[Page 75868]]
Adugak I.\3\ Bering Sea 52 54.70 N 169 10.50 W ........... ........... 10 Umnak I./Cape Aslik\3\ Bering Sea 53 25.00 N 168 24.50 W ........... ........... BA Ogchul I. Gulf of 52 59.71 N 168 24.24 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Bogoslof I./Fire I.\3\ Bering Sea 53 55.69 N 168 02.05 W ........... ........... BA Polivnoi Rock Gulf of 53 15.96 N 167 57.99 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Emerald I. Gulf of 53 17.50 N 167 51.50 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Unalaska/Cape Izigan Gulf of 53 13.64 N 167 39.37 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Unalaska/Bishop Pt.9 Bering Sea 53 58.40 N 166 57.50 W ........... ........... 10 Akutan I./Reeflava\9\ Bering Sea 54 08.10 N 166 06.19 W 54 09.10 N 166 05.50 W 10 Unalaska I./Cape Sedanka\6\ Gulf of 53 50.50 N 166 05.00 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Old Man Rocks\6\ Gulf of 53 52.20 N 166 04.90 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Akutan I./Cape Morgan\6\ Gulf of 54 03.39 N 165 59.65 W 54 03.70 N 166 03.68 W 20 Alaska
Akun I./Billings Head\9\ Bering Sea 54 17.62 N 165 32.06 W 54 17.57 N 165 31.71 W 10 Rootok\6\ Gulf of 54 03.90 N 165 31.90 W 54 02.90 N 165 29.50 W 20 Alaska
Tanginak I.\6\ Gulf of 54 12.00 N 165 19.40 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Tigalda/Rocks NE\6\ Gulf of 54 09.60 N 164 59.00 W 54 09.12 N 164 57.18 W 20 Alaska
Unimak/Cape Sarichef\9\ Bering Sea 54 34.30 N 164 56.80 W ........... ........... 10 Aiktak\6\ Gulf of 54 10.99 N 164 51.15 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Ugamak I.\6\ Gulf of 54 13.50 N 164 47.50 W 54 12.80 N 164 47.50 W 20 Alaska
Round (GOA)\6\ Gulf of 54 12.05 N 164 46.60 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Sea Lion Rock (Amak)\9\ Bering Sea 55 27.82 N 163 12.10 W ........... ........... 10 Amak I. And rocks\9\ Bering Sea 55 24.20 N 163 09.60 W 55 26.15 N 163 08.50 W 10 Bird I. Gulf of 54 40.00 N 163 17.2 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Caton I. Gulf of 54 22.70 N 162 21.30 W ........... ........... 3 Alaska
South Rocks Gulf of 54 18.14 N 162 41.3 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Clubbing Rocks (S) Gulf of 54 41.98 N 162 26.7 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Clubbing Rocks (N) Gulf of 54 42.75 N 162 26.7 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Pinnacle Rock Gulf of 54 46.06 N 161 45.85 W ........... ........... 3 Alaska
Sushilnoi Rocks Gulf of 54 49.30 N 161 42.73 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Olga Rocks Gulf of 55 00.45 N 161 29.81 W 54 59.09 N 161 30.89 W 10 Alaska
Jude I. Gulf of 55 15.75 N 161 06.27 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Sea Lion Rocks (Shumagins) Gulf of 55 04.70 N 160 31.04 W ........... ........... 3 Alaska
Nagai I./Mountain Pt. Gulf of 54 54.20 N 160 15.40 W 54 56.00 N 160 15.00 W 3 Alaska
The Whaleback Gulf of 55 16.82 N 160 05.04 W ........... ........... 3 Alaska
Chernabura I. Gulf of 54 45.18 N 159 32.99 W 54 45.87 N 159 35.74 W 20 Alaska
Castle Rock Gulf of 55 16.47 N 159 29.77 W ........... ........... 3 Alaska
Atkins I. Gulf of 55 03.20 N 159 17.40 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Spitz I. Gulf of 55 46.60 N 158 53.90 W ........... ........... 3 Alaska
Mitrofania Gulf of 55 50.20 N 158 41.90 W ........... ........... 3 Alaska
Kak Gulf of 56 17.30 N 157 50.10 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Lighthouse Rocks Gulf of 55 46.79 N 157 24.89 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Sutwik I. Gulf of 56 31.05 N 157 20.47 W 56 32.00 N 157 21.00 W 20 Alaska
Chowiet I. Gulf of 56 00.54 N 156 41.42 W 55 00.30 N 156 41.60 W 20 Alaska
Nagai Rocks Gulf of 55 49.80 N 155 47.50 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Chirikof I. Gulf of 55 46.50 N 155 39.50 W 55 46.44 N 155 43.46 W 20 Alaska
Puale Bay\12\ Gulf of 57 40.60 N 155 23.10 W ........... ........... 3,10 Alaska
Kodiak/Cape Ikolik Gulf of 57 17.20 N 154 47.50 W ........... ........... 3 Alaska
Takli I. Gulf of 58 01.75 N 154 31.25 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Cape Kuliak Gulf of 58 08.00 N 154 12.50 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Cape Gull Gulf of 58 11.50 N 154 09.60 W 58 12.50 N 154 10.50 W 10 Alaska
Kodiak/Cape Ugat Gulf of 57 52.41 N 153 50.97 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Sitkinak/Cape Sitkinak Gulf of 56 34.30 N 153 50.96 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Shakun Rock Gulf of 58 32.80 N 153 41.50 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Twoheaded I. Gulf of 56 54.50 N 153 32.75 W 56 53.90 N 153 33.74 W 10 Alaska
Cape Douglas (Shaw I.)\12\ Gulf of 59 00.00 N 153 22.50 W ........... ........... 20,10 Alaska
Kodiak/Cape Barnabas Gulf of 57 10.20 N 152 53.05 W ........... ........... 3 Alaska
Kodiak/Gull Point\4\ Gulf of 57 21.45 N 152 36.30 W ........... ........... 10,3 Alaska
Latax Rocks Gulf of 58 40.10 N 152 31.30 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Ushagat I./SW Gulf of 58 54.75 N 152 22.20 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Ugak I.\4\ Gulf of 57 23.60 N 152 17.50 W 57 21.90 N 152 17.40 W 10,3 Alaska
Sea Otter I. Gulf of 58 31.15 N 152 13.30 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Long I. Gulf of 57 46.82 N 152 12.90 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Sud I. Gulf of 58 54.00 N 152 12.50 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Kodiak/Cape Chiniak Gulf of 57 37.90 N 152 08.25 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Sugarloaf I. Gulf of 58 53.25 N 152 02.40 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Sea Lion Rocks (Marmot) Gulf of 58 20.53 N 151 48.83 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Marmot I.\5\ Gulf of 58 13.65 N 151 47.75 W 58 09.90 N 151 52.06 W 15,20 Alaska
Nagahut Rocks Gulf of 59 06.00 N 151 46.30 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
[[Page 75869]]
Perl Gulf of 59 05.75 N 151 39.75 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Gore Point Gulf of 59 12.00 N 150 58.00 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Outer (Pye) I. Gulf of 59 20.50 N 150 23.00 W 59 21.00 N 150 24.50 W 20 Alaska
Steep Point Gulf of 59 29.05 N 150 15.40 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Seal Rocks (Kenai) Gulf of 59 31.20 N 149 37.50 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Chiswell Islands Gulf of 59 36.00 N 149 34.00 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Rugged Island Gulf of 59 50.00 N 149 23.10 W 59 51.00 N 149 24.70 W 10 Alaska
Point Elrington\7,10\ Gulf of 59 56.00 N 148 15.20 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Perry I.\7\ Gulf of 60 44.00 N 147 54.60 W ........... ........... ............. Alaska
The Needle\7\ Gulf of 60 06.64 N 147 36.17 W ........... ........... ............. Alaska
Point Eleanor\7\ Gulf of 60 35.00 N 147 34.00 W ........... ........... ............. Alaska
Wooded I. (Fish I.) Gulf of 59 52.90 N 147 20.65 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Glacier Island\7\ Gulf of 60 51.30 N 147 14.50 W ........... ........... ............. Alaska
Seal Rocks (Cordova)\10\ Gulf of 60 09.78 N 146 50.30 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Cape Hinchinbrook\10\ Gulf of 60 14.00 N 146 38.50 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Middleton I. Gulf of 59 28.30 N 146 18.80 W ........... ........... 10 Alaska
Hook Point\10\ Gulf of 60 20.00 N 146 15.60 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
Cape St. Elias Gulf of 59 47.50 N 144 36.20 W ........... ........... 20 Alaska
\1\Where two sets of coordinates are given, the baseline extends in a clockwise direction from the first set of geographic coordinates along the shoreline at mean lowerlow water to the second set of coordinates. Where only one set of coordinates is listed, that location is the base point. \2\Closures as stated in 50 CFR 679.22(a)(7)(iv), (a)(8)(ii) and (b)(2)(ii). \3\This site lies within the Bogoslof area (BA). The BA consists of all waters of area 518 as described in Figure 1 of this part south of a straight line connecting 55[deg]00' N/170[deg]00' W, and 55[deg]00' N/ 168[deg]11'4.75'' W. Closure to directed fishing for pollock around Uliaga and Kagamil is 20 nm for waters west of 170[deg] W long. and 10 nm for waters east of 170[deg] W long. \4\The trawl closure between 0 nm to 10 nm is effective from January 20 through May 31. Trawl closure between 0 nm to 3 nm is effective from August 25 through November 1. \5\Trawl closure between 0 nm to 15 nm is effective from January 20 through May 31. Trawl closure between 0 nm to 20 nm is effective from August 25 to November 1.
\6\Restriction area includes only waters of the Gulf of Alaska Area. \7\Contact the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for fishery restrictions at these sites. \8\Nofishing zones are the waters between 0 nm and the nm specified in column 7 around each site and within the BA.
\9\This site is located in the Bering Sea Pollock Restriction Area, closed to pollock trawling during the A season. This area consists of all waters of the Bering Sea subarea south of a line connecting the points 163[deg]0'00'' W long./55[deg]46'30'' N lat., 165[deg]08'00'' W long./54[deg]42'9'' N lat., 165[deg]40'00'' long./54[deg]26'30'' N lat., 166[deg]12'00'' W long./54[deg]18'40'' N lat., and 167[deg]0'00'' W long./ 54[deg]8'50'' N lat.
\10\The 20 nm closure around this site is effective in federal waters outside of State of Alaska waters of Prince William Sound.
\11\Some or all of the restricted area is located in the Seguam Foraging area (SFA) which is closed to all gears types. The SFA is established as all waters within the area between 52[deg] N lat. and 53[deg] N lat. and between 173[deg]30' W long. and 172[deg]30' W long.
\12\The 3 nm trawl closure around Puale Bay and the 20 nm trawl closure around Cape Douglas/Shaw I. are effective January 20 through May 31. The 10 nm trawl closure around Puale Bay and the 10 nm trawl closure around Cape Douglas/Shaw I. are effective August 25 through November 1. [[Page 75870]]
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[FR Doc. 0427698 Filed 121704; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 351022S

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Melanie Brown, 907-586-7228 or
melanie.brown@noaa.gov.

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