[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 155 (Thursday, August 12, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 43942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20921]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 080999A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch 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 ocean perch 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 
is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1999 total allowable catch (TAC) 
of Pacific ocean perch in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 9, 1999, 
through 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 1999 TAC of Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area 
of the Gulf of Alaska was established by the Final 1998 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999) 
as 6,760 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with 
Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The directed fishery for Pacific ocean perch in 
the Central Regulatory Area was closed under Sec. 679.20(d)(iii) on 
July 11, 1999, (64 FR 37884, July 14, 1999) and reopened on August 6, 
1999 (notification filed by the Office of the Federal Register on 
August 5, 1999).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1999 TAC 
for Pacific ocean perch will be reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 5,760 mt, 
and is setting aside the remaining 1,000 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 Pacific ocean perch in the Central 
Regulatory Area.
    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 to 
prevent overharvesting the 1999 TAC of Pacific ocean perch for the 
Central Regulatory Area 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: August 9, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20921 Filed 8-9-99; 4:56 pm]
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