[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 13698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6194]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 000211039-0039-01; I.D. 030800A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
Fisheries by Vessels using Hook-and-Line Gear in 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 groundfish by vessels 
using hook-and-line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for 
sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish. This action is necessary because 
the first seasonal bycatch mortality allowance of Pacific halibut 
apportioned to hook-and-line gear targeting groundfish other than 
sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish in the GOA has been caught.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 9, 2000, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., May 18, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance for groundfish 
included in the other hook-and-line fishery, which is defined at 
Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C), was established by the Final 2000 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (65 FR 8298, February 18, 
2000) for the first season, the period January 1, 2000, through May 17, 
2000, as 250 metric tons. The other hook-and-line fishery includes all 
groundfish except sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(ii), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the first seasonal apportionment of 
the 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the 
hook-and-line groundfish fisheries other than sablefish or demersal 
shelf rockfish in the GOA has been caught. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish other than sablefish or 
demersal shelf rockfish by vessels using hook-and-line gear in 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 best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order 
to prevent exceeding the first seasonal apportionment of the 2000 
Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the 
groundfish fisheries other than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish by 
vessels using hook-and-line gear in the GOA. A delay in the effective 
date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further 
delay would only result in overharvest, which would disrupt the FMP's 
objective of apportioning Pacific halibut bycatch allowances throughout 
the year. 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. 679.21 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: March 9, 2000.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-6194 Filed 3-9-00; 2:34 pm]
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