[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]
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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.
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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]
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