[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 16, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3574]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 981222313-8320-02; I.D. 020999B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock by 
Vessels Catching Pollock for Processing by the Mothership Component in 
the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area

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

ACTION: Closure.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the mothership component in the 
critical habitat/catcher vessel operation area (CH/CVOA) of the Bering 
Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is 
necessary because the A season limit of pollock total allowable catch 
specified to the mothership component for harvest within the CH/CVOA 
has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 9, 
1999, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 1, 1999.

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 50 CFR part 679.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C)(3), and the revised 
interim 1999 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for pollock in the 
Bering Sea Subarea (64 FR 3437, January 22, 1999), the A season limit 
of pollock TAC specified to the mothership component for harvest within 
the CH/CVOA is 16,785 metric tons.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(A)&(C) the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the A 
season limit of pollock total allowable catch specified to the 
mothership component for harvest within the CH/CVOA has been reached.
    Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by 
vessels catching pollock for processing by the mothership component 
within the CH/CVOA conservation zone in the Bering Sea subarea of the 
BSAI.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations 
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order 
to prevent exceeding the A season limit of pollock total allowable 
catch specified to the mothership component for harvest within the CH/
CVOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to 
the public interest. Further delay would only result in jeopardizing 
the recovery of the endangered Steller sea lion. NMFS finds for good 
cause that the implementation of this action can not 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. 679.22 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: February 9, 1999.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-3574 Filed 2-9-99; 4:56 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F