[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 5, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 17808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8372]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 000211039-0039-01; I.D. 033100A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
the West Yakutat District in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for pollock in the West 
Yakutat District in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary 
to fully utilize the 2000 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time, April 1, 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.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii), the pollock TAC for 2000 
in the West Yakutat District of the GOA is 2,340 metric tons (mt) under 
the Final 2000 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (65 FR 
8298, February 18, 2000).
    NMFS closed the directed fishery for pollock in the West Yakutat 
District of the GOA under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on March 28, 2000 (65 
FR 17205, March 31, 2000).
    NMFS has determined that currently, approximately 600 mt remain in 
the directed fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the 
previous closure and is opening directed fishing for pollock in the 
West Yakutat District of the GOA.

Classification

    All other closures remain in full force and effect. This action 
responds to the best available information recently obtained from the 
fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order to allow full 
utilization of the pollock TAC. Providing prior notice and opportunity 
for public comment for this action is impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of 
this action cannot 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 31, 2000.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-8372 Filed 3-31-00; 3:40 pm]
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