[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 24, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21915]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 081899A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Vessels 
Catching Pollock for Processing by the Inshore Component in the Bering 
Sea Subarea

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 by vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in the 
critical habitat/catcher vessel operational area (CH/CVOA) of the 
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the B season limit of 
pollock total allowable catch (TAC) specified for the inshore component 
within the CH/CVOA will be reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 19, 1999, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 15, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish 
Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (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.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C)(1) and the revised 
emergency interim rule (64 FR 39087, July 21, 1999), the B season limit 
of pollock TAC specified for harvest within the CH/CVOA and processing 
by the inshore component is 56,648 metric tons (mt).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(A) the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the B season limit of pollock 
TAC specified for harvest within the CH/CVOA and processing by the 
inshore component will be reached.
    Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by 
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component within 
the CH/CVOA conservation zone, as defined at Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(B).
    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 exceeding the B season limit of pollock TAC specified for 
harvest within the CH/CVOA and processing by the inshore component. A 
delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest. Further delay would result in noncompliance with reasonable 
and prudent management measures implemented to promote the recovery of 
the endangered Steller sea lion. 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. 679.22 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: August 19, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21915 Filed 8-19-99; 3:33 pm]
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