[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 49 (Monday, March 15, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6163]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 030999B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Inshore Component 
in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

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 Pacific cod by 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in 
the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the final specification for Pacific cod 
by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component 
in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 8, 1999, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Hindman, 907-581-2062.

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 Final 1999 Harvest Specifications, which were filed on March 8, 
1999, and will be published in the Federal Register on March 11, 1999, 
established the final specification of Pacific cod total allowable 
catch (TAC) for processing by the inshore component of the Western 
Regulatory Area as 17,014 metric tons (mt) in accordance with 
Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the amount 
of the 1999 final specification of Pacific cod for processing by the 
inshore component of the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 16,714 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 300 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 Pacific cod by 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in 
the Western 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 final TAC limitations and other 
restrictions on the fisheries established in the final 1999 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the GOA. It must be implemented 
immediately to prevent overharvesting the 1999 final TAC for Pacific 
cod allocated for processing by the inshore component in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and 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 9, 1999 .

Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-6163 Filed 3-10-99; 9:02 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F