[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 2, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2164]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 991228352-0012-02; I.D. 012700A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 610

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

ACTION:  Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock by catcher 
vessels that are non-exempt under the American Fisheries Act (AFA) in 
Statistical Area 610 and the Shelikof Strait Conservation Area of the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to allow non-exempt 
catcher vessels to participate in the pollock fishery in these areas 
consistent with regulations implementing the AFA.

DATES:  Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 27, 
2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Andrew Smoker, 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 amount of the interim 2000 GOA AFA catcher vessel sideboard in 
Statistical Area 610 and the Shelikof Strait Conservation Area was 
established by the Emergency Interim Rule to Implement Major Provisions 
of the American Fisheries Act (published January 28, 2000), as 3,409 
metric tons (mt) and 2,402 mt respectively in accordance with 
Sec. 679.20(c)(2)(i).
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), 
has established a directed fishing allowance of 3,209 mt, and set aside 
the remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish 
fisheries for this component of the fishery in Statistical Area 610. He 
also has established a directed fishing allowance of 2,202 mt, and set 
aside the remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated 
groundfish fisheries for this component of the fishery in Shelikof 
Strait Conservation Area. These areas of the GOA were closed to 
directed fishing for pollock by non-exempt AFA vessels effective on 
January 21, 2000.
    NMFS has determined that as of January 24, 2000, 3,209 mt remain in 
the directed fishing allowance for Statistical Area 610 and 2,000 mt 
remain in the directed fishing allowance for the Shelikof Strait 
Conservation Area. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closure 
and is opening directed fishing for pollock by catcher vessels that are 
non-exempt under the AFA in Statistical Area 610 and the Shelikof 
Strait Conservation Area of the GOA.

Classification

    All other closures remain in full force and effect. This action 
responds to the best available information recently obtained from the 
fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order to allow 
participation of catcher vessels that are non-exempt under the AFA. 
Providing prior notice and opportunity for public comment for this 
action is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. NMFS finds 
for good cause that the implementation of this action cannot 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: January 27, 2000.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-2164 Filed 1-27-00; 5:01 pm]
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