[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 20, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 56481]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27298]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 101499A]


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: Inseason adjustment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS issues an inseason adjustment opening the D fishing 
season for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) 
for 36 hours. This adjustment is necessary to manage the D seasonal 
allowance of the pollock total allowable catch (TAC) in Statistical 
Area 620 of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 14, 1999, until 2400 hrs, 
A.l.t., October 15, 1999. Comments must be received at the following 
address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., October 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional 
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, 
P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, Attn: Lori Gravel. Hand delivery 
or courier delivery of comments may be sent to the Federal Building, 
709 West 9th Street, Room 453, Juneau, AK 99801.

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.
    NMFS issued a prohibition on directed fishing for pollock effective 
October 12, 1999, for Statistical Area 620, in accordance with 
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), which was filed with the Office of the Federal 
Register on October 12, 1999.
    As of October 13, 1999, 3,500 metric tons (mt) of pollock remain in 
the D seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of 
the GOA. Section 679.23(b) specifies that the time of all openings and 
closures of fishing seasons other than the beginning and end of the 
calendar fishing year is 1200 hrs, A.l.t. Current information shows the 
catching capacity of vessels catching pollock for processing by the 
inshore component in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA is in excess of 
3,000 mt per day. The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has 
determined that the D seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC could be 
exceeded if a 48-hour fishery were allowed to occur. NMFS intends that 
the seasonal allowance not be exceeded and, therefore, will not allow a 
48-hour directed fishery. NMFS, in accordance with 
Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i), is adjusting the D fishing season for pollock in 
Statistical Area 620 of the GOA by closing the fishery at 2400 hrs, 
A.l.t., October 15, 1999, at which time directed fishing for pollock 
will be prohibited. This action has the effect of opening the fishery 
for 36 hours. NMFS is taking this action to allow a controlled fishery 
to occur, thereby preventing the overharvest of the D seasonal 
allowance of the pollock TAC designated in accordance with the 
Emergency Interim Rule establishing Steller sea lion protection 
measures for pollock off Alaska. In accordance with 
Sec. 679.25(a)(2)(iii), NMFS has determined that prohibiting directed 
fishing at 2400 hrs, A.l.t., October 15, 1999, after a 36 hour opening 
is the least restrictive management adjustment to achieve the D 
seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC and will allow other fisheries to 
continue in noncritical areas and time periods. Pursuant to 
Sec. 679.25(b)(2), NMFS has considered data regarding catch per unit of 
effort and rate of harvest in making this adjustment.

Classification

    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds for good 
cause that providing prior notice and public comment or delaying the 
effective date of this action is impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest. Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow 
the D seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of 
the GOA to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with 
the regulatory schedule. Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons 
are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above 
address until October 29, 1999.
    This action is required by Secs. 679.20 and 679.25 and is exempt 
from review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: October 14, 1999.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27298 Filed 10-14-99; 4:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F