[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 24 (Friday, February 5, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-2691]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 981222313-8320-02; I.D. 020199A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
by Vessels Using Non-pelagic Trawl Gear in the Red King Crab Savings 
Subarea

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for groundfish with non-
pelagic trawl gear in the red king crab savings subarea (RKCSS) of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is 
necessary to utilize the amount of the interim 1999 red king crab 
bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 1, 
1999, until superseded by the Final 1999 Harvest Specification for 
Groundfish, which will be published in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 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 CFR part 679.
    The amount of the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch limit 
specified for the RKCSS was established as 10,000 animals by the 
Interim 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (64 FR 50, January 4, 
1999). The directed fishery for groundfish with non-pelagic trawl gear 
was closed effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t. January 25, 1999 in accordance 
with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(ii)(B)(64 FR 4602, January 29, 1999) because it 
was expected that the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch limit 
specified for the RKCSS would be caught.
    NMFS has determined that as of January 25, 1999, 3,000 red king 
crab remain in the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch limit specified 
for the RKCSS. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and 
is opening directed fishing for groundfish with non-pelagic trawl gear 
in the RKCSS.

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 amount of the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch 
limit specified for the RKCSS remaining. Providing prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment for this action is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. NMFS finds for good cause that the 
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. 679.21 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: February 1, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-2691 Filed 2-1-99; 3:43 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F