[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6482]



[[Page 13122]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 981222314-8321-02; I.D. 031199A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Inshore Component 
in the Central 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 Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the amount of the Pacific cod total 
allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the inshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 14, 1999, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.

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 Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (64 
FR 12094, March 11, 1999) established the Pacific cod TAC apportioned 
to the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area as 30,913 
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 interim 1999 harvest specification of Pacific cod for processing 
by the inshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will 
be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 30,613 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. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific 
cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore 
component in the Central 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 amount of the final 1999 
Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the inshore component in the Central 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 11, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-6482 Filed 3-12-99; 3:28 pm]
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