[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 39 (Monday, March 1, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9937-9938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5017]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990115017-9017-01; I.D. 022399B]


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 A2 season 
limit of pollock total allowable catch specified for the inshore 
component within the CH/CVOA will be reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 24, 
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 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 A2 season limit of pollock total allowable 
catch specified for the inshore component for harvest within the CH/
CVOA is 36,716 metric tons (mt).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(A) and (C)(2) the 
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has 
determined that the A2 season limit of pollock total allowable catch 
specified to the inshore component for harvest

[[Page 9938]]

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 
A2 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.
    Consequently, 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 A2 season limit of pollock total allowable 
catch 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 24, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5017 Filed 2-24-99; 4:08 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F