[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 47 (Thursday, March 11, 1999)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 12093-12094] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-5976] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 981222314-8321-02; I.D. 030599C] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the interim 1999 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) for the Eastern Regulatory Area established by the Interim 1999 Harvest Specifications. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 6, 1999, until superseded by the Final 1999 Harvest Specification for Groundfish, which will be published in the Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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. The Interim 1999 Harvest Specifications (64 FR 46, January 4, 1999) established the interim 1999 pollock TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area as 1,395 metric tons (mt), in accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(2)(i). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the interim TAC of pollock in the Eastern Regulatory Area will soon be reached. The Regional [[Page 12094]] Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,195 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will soon be reached. NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA. 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 to prevent overharvesting the interim 1999 pollock TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area. Providing prior notice and an opportunity for public comment is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this action should 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. 679.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 5, 1999. Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-5976 Filed 3-5-99; 4:17 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F