[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 59 (Monday, March 29, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14840-14841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7607]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 032399C]


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-water 
Species Fishery by Vessels using Trawl Gear in 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 species that comprise 
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf 
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the first seasonal 
apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified 
to the deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 24, 1999, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 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 halibut bycatch 
allowance for the GOA trawl deep-water species fishery, which is 
defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(B), for the first season, the period 
January 20, 1999, through March 31, 1999, as 100 metric tons.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the first 
seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance 
specified for the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been 
caught. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the 
deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The 
species and species groups that comprise the deep-water species fishery 
are: All rockfish of the genera Sebastes and Sebastolobus, deep-water 
flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish.
    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 overharvesting the first seasonal

[[Page 14841]]

apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified 
for the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA. A delay in the 
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 
The first seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch 
allowance has been caught. Further delay would only result in 
overharvest,S which would disrupt the FMP's objective of apportioning 
Pacific halibut mortality allowances throughout the year. 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. 679.21 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: March 23, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7607 Filed 3-24-99; 12:52 pm]
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