[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 25, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22079]



[[Page 46317]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 081799E]


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
Fisheries by Vessels Using Hook-and-Line 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 groundfish by vessels 
using hook-and-line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for 
sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish. This action is necessary because 
the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance apportioned to 
hook-and-line gear targeting groundfish other than sablefish or 
demersal shelf rockfish in the GOA has been caught.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 
1999, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 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 Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (64 
FR 12094, March 11, 1999) established the Pacific halibut bycatch 
mortality allowance for groundfish included in the other hook-and-line 
fishery, which is defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C), for 1999 as 290 
metric tons. The other hook-and-line fishery includes all groundfish, 
except sablefish and demersal shelf rockfish.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(ii), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch 
mortality allowance specified for the hook-and-line groundfish 
fisheries other than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish in the GOA 
has been caught. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for 
groundfish other than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish by vessels 
using hook-and-line gear in the GOA.
    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 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality 
allowance specified for the groundfish fisheries other than sablefish 
or demersal shelf rockfish by vessels using hook-and-line gear in the 
GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest. The 1999 bycatch mortality allowance of Pacific 
halibut apportioned to hook-and-line gear targeting groundfish other 
than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish in the GOA has been caught. 
NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this action can 
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 Sec. 679.21 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. 99-22079 Filed 8-24-99; 8:45 am]
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