[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 20, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56473-56474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27381]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 101599E]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Management Area

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1999 halibut 
bycatch mortality allowance specified for the trawl Pacific cod fishery 
category.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 18, 
1999, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish 
Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (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 (64 FR 12103, 
March 11, 1999) established the halibut bycatch mortality allowance 
specified for the BSAI trawl Pacific cod fishery, which is defined at 
Sec. 679.21(e)(3)(iv)(E), as 1,473 metric tons.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(v), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1999 
halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the trawl Pacific cod 
fishery in the BSAI has been caught. Consequently, the Regional 
Administrator is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels 
using trawl gear in the BSAI.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations 
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

[[Page 56474]]

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent exceeding the 1999 halibut bycatch mortality allowance 
specified for the trawl Pacific cod fishery category. Providing prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet will soon 
take the allowance. Further delay would only result in the 1999 halibut 
bycatch mortality allowance for the trawl Pacific cod fishery category 
being exceeded. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of 
this action cannot be delayed for 30 days. Accordingly, under U.S.C. 
553(d), a delay in the effective date is hereby waived.

Classification

    This action is required by 50 CFR 679.21 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: October 15, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27381 Filed 10-15-99; 3:22 pm]
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