[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12138-12139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5619]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 000211039-0039-01; I.D. 030200A]


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

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 4, 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)(3)(ii), the Pacific cod TAC 
apportioned to

[[Page 12139]]

vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in 
the Western Regulatory Area was established as 14,850 metric tons (mt), 
by the Final 2000 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA 
(8298 FR 65, February 18, 2000).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the amount 
of the Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the inshore component of the Western Regulatory Area of 
the GOA will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is 
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 14,350 mt, and is setting 
aside the remaining 500 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 
inshore 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 final 2000 harvest 
specifications for groundfish in the GOA. It must be implemented 
immediately to prevent overharvesting the amount of the Pacific cod TAC 
apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the 
inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the 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: March 3, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5619 Filed 3-3-00; 4:47 pm]
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