[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23806]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 090899B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch in the Western 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 retention of Pacific ocean perch in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catch of Pacific ocean perch in this area be treated in the same 
manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of 
injury. This action is necessary because the amount of the 1999 total 
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in this area has been 
achieved.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 8, 
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 amount of the 1999 TAC of 
Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA as 1,850 
metric tons. See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the 1999 TAC for 
Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been 
achieved. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of Pacific 
ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as 
prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the amount of the 1999 TAC for Pacific ocean 
perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the 
effective date is impracticable and contrary to public interest. The 
fleet has taken the amount of the 1999 TAC for Pacific ocean perch in 
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. Further delay would only result 
in overharvest. 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. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: September 8, 1999.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23806 Filed 9-8-99; 4:59 pm]
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