[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 17, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3827]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 981222313-8320-02; I.D. 021199A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Vessels 
Greater Than 99 feet (30.2 m) LOA Catching Pollock for Processing by 
the Inshore Component in the Bering Sea

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
greater than 99 feet (30.2 m) length over all (LOA) catching pollock 
for processing by the inshore 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 A1 season 
limit of pollock total allowable catch (TAC) specified for the inshore 
component within the CH/CVOA will be reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 11, 
1999, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., February 20, 1999.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI 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)(1), and the revised 
interim 1999 TAC amounts for pollock in the Bering Sea subarea (64 FR 
3437, January 22, 1999) the A1 season limit of pollock TAC specified to 
the inshore component for harvest within the CH/CVOA is 80,776 metric 
tons (mt).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(A)&(C)(2) the 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has 
determined that the A1 season limit of pollock TAC specified to the 
inshore component for harvest within the CH/CVOA will be reached. The 
Regional Administrator has estimated that 1,000 mt is likely to be 
harvested by catcher vessels less than or equal to 99 feet (30.2 m) LOA 
during the remainder of the A1 season and is reserving that amount to 
accommodate fishing by such vessels after the closure of the CH/CVOA to 
vessels greater than 99 feet (30.2 m) LOA.
    NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels greater 
than 99 feet (30.2 m) LOA catching pollock for processing by the 
inshore component within the CH/CVOA conservation zone, as defined at 
Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(B).
    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 A1 season limit of pollock TAC specified to 
the inshore component for harvest within the CH/CVOA. A delay in the 
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 
Further delay would result in noncompliance with reasonable and prudent 
management measures implemented to promote 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 11, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-3827 Filed 2-11-99; 2:16 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F