[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54792-54793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26325]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 100599B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Offshore 
Component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 
is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1999 Pacific cod total allowable 
catch (TAC) allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by 
the offshore component in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 5, 1999, 
through 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 
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.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii), the final harvest 
specifications for the GOA established the 1999 TAC of Pacific cod 
allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the 
offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area as 3,435 metric tons 
(mt) (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the amount 
of the Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is 
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 3,135 mt, and is setting 
aside the remaining 300 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated 
groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the 
Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will 
soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for 
Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the 
offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of 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 TAC limitations and other restrictions 
on the fisheries established in the final 1999 harvest specifications 
for groundfish in the GOA. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the amount of the 1999 Pacific cod TAC allocated 
to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore 
component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the 
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest, 
and further delay would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good 
cause that the implementation of this action should 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. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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


[[Page 54793]]


    Dated: October 5, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries
    National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26325 Filed 10-5-99; 2:50 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F