[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54791-54792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26326]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

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


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Inshore 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 inshore 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 inshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 5, 1999, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.


[[Page 54792]]


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.
    The Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (64 
FR 12904, March 11, 1999) and subsequent reserve apportionment (64 FR 
16362, April 5, 1999) established the Pacific cod TAC allocated to 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in 
the Central Regulatory Area as 38,642 metric tons (mt), determined in 
accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(4)(ii). The directed fishery for Pacific 
cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore 
component in the Central Regulatory Area was closed under 
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on March 14, 1999, (64 FR 13122, March 17, 1999) 
and reopened on September 1, 1999 (64 FR 46317, August 25, 1999).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the Pacific 
cod TAC apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by 
the inshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a 
directed fishing allowance of 37,642 mt, and is setting aside the 
remaining 1,000 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 inshore 
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 final 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 Pacific cod TAC apportioned 
to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore 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.

    Dated: October 5, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries
    National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26326 Filed 10-5-99; 2:50 pm]
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