[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 28 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6561-6562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3111]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 991223348-9348-01; I.D. 020700A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Offshore 
Component in the Western 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 offshore component 
in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 
is necessary to prevent exceeding the interim amount of the Pacific cod 
total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod 
for processing by the offshore component of the Western Regulatory Area 
of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 7, 
2000, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 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.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(2)(i), the interim Pacific cod 
TAC apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the 
offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area was established as 
473 metric tons (mt), by the Interim 2000 Harvest Specifications of 
Groundfish for the GOA (65 FR 65, January 3, 2000).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the interim 
amount of the Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels catching Pacific 
cod for processing by the offshore component of the Western Regulatory 
Area of the GOA will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator 
is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 450 mt, and is setting 
aside the remaining 23 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 
offshore component in the Western 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 interim TAC limitations and other 
restrictions on the fisheries established in the interim 2000 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the GOA. It must be implemented 
immediately to prevent overharvesting the interim amount of the Pacific 
cod TAC apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by 
the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the

[[Page 6562]]

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: February 7, 2000.
George H. Darcy,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-3111 Filed 2-7-00; 4:37 pm]
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