[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 16, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32207-32208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15277]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 061099B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 620

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 pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of 
pollock total allowable catch (TAC) in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 11, 1999, 
until 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919 or 
[email protected].

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

[[Page 32208]]

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 second seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC is equal to 20 
percent of the annual TAC (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(ii)(C)). The pollock TAC 
in Statistical Area 620 was established by the Final 1999 Harvest 
Specifications for Groundfish (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999) as 38,840 
metric tons (mt) for the entire 1999 fishing year. In accordance with 
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(ii)(C) the second seasonal apportionment of pollock 
TAC in the Statistical Area 620 is 7,768 mt.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the second 
seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 has been 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 7,568 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 has been 
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock 
in Statistical Area 620.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations 
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

Classification

    This action responds to the second seasonal 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 second seasonal 
apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. A 
delay in the effective date 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 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: June 10, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-15277 Filed 6-11-99; 2:57 pm]
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