[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48330-48331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23088]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 083199A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Species in 
the Rock Sole/Flathead Sole/``Other Flatfish'' Fishery Category by 
Vessels Using Trawl Gear in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management 
Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for species in the rock sole/
flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using 
trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1999 Pacific 
halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rock sole/flathead 
sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 31, 1999, 
until 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 
BSAI exclusive economic zone 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.
    The Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (64 FR 12103, 
March 11, 1999) established the halibut bycatch mortality allowance for 
the BSAI trawl rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery 
category, which is defined at Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(iv)(B)(2), as 755 
metric tons.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1999 
halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rock sole/flathead 
sole/``other flatfish'' fishery in the BSAI has been caught. 
Consequently, the Regional Administrator is closing directed fishing 
for species in the rock sole/flathead

[[Page 48331]]

sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using trawl gear in 
the BSAI.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations 
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent exceeding the 1999 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the 
trawl rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category. 
Providing prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this 
action is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet 
will soon take the allowance. Further delay would result in the 1999 
halibut bycatch allowance being exceeded. NMFS finds for good cause 
that the implementation of this action cannot be delayed for 30 days. 
Accordingly, under U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is 
hereby waived.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR 679.21 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: August 31, 1999.
George H. Darcy,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23088 Filed 8-31-99; 4:36 pm]
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