[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 25, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46317-46318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22080]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

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


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
in the Central Regulatory Area 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 Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to fully utilize the 1999 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
Pacific cod allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by 
the inshore component in that area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time, September 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 is 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)(6)(iii) the 1999 TAC of Pacific 
cod allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the 
inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA was 
established as 38,642 metric tons (mt) by the Final 1998 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999) 
and subsequent reserve release (64 FR 16362, April 5, 1999).
    NMFS closed the inshore component fishery for Pacific cod in the 
Central Regulatory Area to directed fishing under 
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on March 14, 1999 (64 FR 13122, March 17, 1999).
    NMFS has determined that as of August 24, 1999, approximately 4,000 
mt remain in the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is 
terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for 
Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the 
inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

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 Pacific cod TAC. 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 providing a portion of the Pacific cod TAC for vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component. 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.

[[Page 46318]]

    This action is required by Sec. 679.20 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. 99-22080 Filed 8-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F