[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 55865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26975]



[[Page 55865]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 100899C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 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 of pollock in Statistical 
Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to 
prevent exceeding the 1999 total allowable catch (TAC) in this area.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 12, 
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 1999 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA was 
established by the Final 1999 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish (64 
FR 12094, March 11, 1999) as 38,840 metric tons (mt), determined in 
accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1999 TAC 
of pollock in Statistical Area 620 will be reached. Therefore, the 
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 
38,440 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 400 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 has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing of pollock in Statistical Area 620 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 best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the 1999 TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 620 
of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary 
to the public interest. 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 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: October 12, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26975 Filed 10-12-99; 4:31 pm]
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