[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 10, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20527]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9060-01; I.D. 080399C]


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: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening 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 to fully utilize the third 
seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance 
specified to the deep-water species fishery in the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time, August 6, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7280

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.
    The fishery for the deep-water species fishery by vessels using 
trawl gear in the GOA was closed under Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i) on July 21, 
1999, (64 FR 40293, July 26, 1999).
    NMFS has determined that as of July 24, 1999, 180 metric tons 
remain in the third seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut 
bycatch mortality allowance specified for the GOA trawl deep-water 
species fishery. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closure 
and is opening directed fishing for species that comprise the deep-
water species fishery that are not otherwise closed to directed fishing 
in the GOA.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations 
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

Classification

    All other closures remain in full force and effect. This action 
responds to the best available information recently obtained from the 
fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order to allow full 
utilization of the third seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific 
halibut bycatch allowance specified to the deep-water species fishery 
in the GOA. Providing prior notice and opportunity for public comment 
for this action is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 
Further delay would only disrupt the FMP objective of maximizing 
groundfish harvest. 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: August 4, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20527 Filed 8-5-99; 4:08 pm]
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