[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 43 (Friday, March 3, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 11482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5121]



[[Page 11482]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 000211040-0040-01; I.D. 022800C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock by 
Vessels Catching Pollock for Processing by the Mothership Component in 
the Bering Sea Subarea of the 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 prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the mothership component in the 
Steller sea lion conservation area (SCA) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the A 
season limit of pollock total allowable catch specified to the 
mothership component for harvest within the SCA has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 28, 
2000, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 2000.

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.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(D)(2)(iii), and the final 
2000 TAC amounts for pollock in the Bering Sea Subarea (65 FR 8282, 
February 18, 2000) the A season limit of pollock total allowable catch 
specified to the mothership component for harvest within the Steller 
sea lion conservation area (SCA) is 14,607 metric tons.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(A)&(C) the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the A season limit of pollock 
total allowable catch specified to the mothership component for harvest 
within the SCA has been reached.
    Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(D) NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels catching pollock 
for processing by the mothership component within the SCA in the Bering 
Sea subarea of the BSAI.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations 
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order 
to prevent exceeding the A season limit of pollock total allowable 
catch specified to the mothership component for harvest within the SCA. 
A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest. Further delay would only result in jeopardizing the 
recovery of the endangered Steller sea lion. NMFS finds for good cause 
that the implementation of this action can 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. 679.22 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: February 28, 2000.
Bruce Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5121 Filed 2-29-00; 9:56 am]
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