[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 39 (Monday, March 1, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 9937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5018]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 981222314-8321-02; I.D. 021999A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
in the Central Regulatory Area in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to fully utilize the interim total allowable catch (TAC) of 
Pacific cod in that area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 25, 
1999.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan 
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (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)(6)(iii), the Interim 1999 Harvest 
Specifications for Groundfish (64 FR 46, January 4, 1999), established 
the allowance of the interim 1999 Pacific cod TAC apportioned for 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA as 834 metric tons (mt).
    NMFS closed the offshore component fishery for Pacific cod in the 
Central Regulatory Area to directed fishing under 
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 20, 1999 (64 FR 3658, January 25, 
1999).
    NMFS has determined that as of February 18, 1999, approximately 500 
mt remain in the offshore component directed fishing allowance. 
Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening 
directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the offshore component in Central Regulatory Area of the 
GOA.

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 Pacific cod TAC. Providing prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment for this action is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. Further delay would only disrupt the 
FMP objective of providing the Pacific cod TAC for harvest. NMFS finds 
for good cause that 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. 679.20 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. 99-5018 Filed 2-24-99; 4:08 pm]
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