[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3482]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 991223349-934901-01; I.D. 021000A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Trawling in 
Steller Sea Lion Critical Habitat in the Central Aleutian District of 
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting trawling within Steller sea lion critical 
habitat in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 
2000 critical habitat percentage of the interim harvest specifications 
of Atka mackerel allocated to the Central Aleutian District has been 
reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 10, 
2000, until the directed fishery for Atka mackerel closes within the 
Central Aleutian District.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI exclusive economic zone 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 2000 interim TAC for Atka mackerel in the Central Aleutian 
District is 9,520 metric tons (mt), of which no more than 6,378 mt may 
be harvested from critical habitat (65 FR 60, January 3, 2000). See 
Sec. 679.20(c)(2)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a)(8)(iii)(B).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(8)(iii)(A), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 
allowable harvest of Atka mackerel in Steller sea lion critical habitat 
in the Central Aleutian District as specified under the 2000 interim 
harvest specifications has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting trawling in critical habitat, as defined at 50 CFR part 
226, Table 1 and Table 2 in the Central Aleutian District of the BSAI.

Classification

    This action responds to the interim TAC limitations for Atka 
mackerel in the BSAI. It must be implemented immediately to avoid 
jeopardy to the continued existence of Steller sea lions. A delay in 
the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest. 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 10, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-3482 Filed 2-10-00; 3:14 pm]
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