[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 142 (Monday, July 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40293-40294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18997]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9060-01; I.D. 072199A]


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 third seasonal 
apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified 
for the trawl deep-water

[[Page 40294]]

species fishery in the GOA has been caught.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 21, 1999, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-481-1780 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 
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 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance for the GOA trawl deep-water 
species fishery, which is defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(B), was 
established by the Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for 
the GOA (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999) for the third season, the period 
July 4, 1999, through September 30, 1999, as 400 metric tons.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the third 
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: rockfish as defined at Sec. 679.2, deep-water flatfish (Dover 
sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole), 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 third seasonal 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 third seasonal 
apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance has been caught. 
Further delay would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good 
cause that the implementation of this action cannot 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: July 21, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-18997 Filed 7-21-99; 3:52 pm]
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