[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 59 (Monday, March 27, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7488]



[[Page 16150]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 000211040-0040-01; I.D. 032100B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Trawling in 
Steller Sea Lion Critical Habitat in the Western 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 Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the 
2000 critical habitat percentage of Atka mackerel allocated to the 
Western Aleutian District has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 22, 2000, 
until the directed fishery for Atka mackerel closes within the Western 
Aleutian District.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 TAC for Atka mackerel specified for the Western Aleutian 
District during the `A' season is 13,736 metric tons (mt), of which no 
more than 7,829 mt may be harvested from critical habitat (65 FR 8282, 
February 18, 2000). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii)(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 Western Aleutian District as specified under the 2000 harvest 
specifications for the `A' season 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 Western Aleutian District of the BSAI.

Classification

    This action responds to the 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: March 22, 2000.
George H. Darcy,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-7488 Filed 3-22-00; 4:30 pm]
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