[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 93 (Friday, May 12, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 30559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12027]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[I.D. 050500A]
RIN 0648-AK74


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Prohibition 
of Groundfish Fishing and Anchoring in the Sitka Pinnacles Marine 
Reserve

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

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has 
submitted Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of 
the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). This amendment would prohibit vessels holding 
a Federal fisheries permit from fishing for groundfish or anchoring in 
the proposed Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve, a 2.5-square nautical mile 
(nm) area near Cape Edgecumbe. Amendment 59 is necessary to allow this 
area to function more fully as a marine refuge and would complement 
State regulations. The prohibition of boat anchoring by vessels under 
Federal jurisdiction would help prevent degradation of this fragile 
habitat.

DATES:  Comments on Amendment 59 must be submitted by July 11, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted to Sue Salveson, Assistant 
Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, 
NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attn: Lori Gravel. Comments may 
also be sent via facsimile (fax) to 907-586-7465, or hand delivered or 
sent by courier to the Federal Building, Room 453, Juneau, AK. Comments 
will not be accepted if submitted via e-mail or the Internet.
    Copies of Amendment 59 to the FMP and the Environmental Assessment/
Regulatory Impact Review/Initial Flexibility Analysis prepared for the 
amendment are available from the North Pacific Fishery Management 
Council, 605 West 4th Avenue, Suite 306, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252; 
telephone 907-271-2809.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nina Mollett, 907-586-7462, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Council adopted Amendment 59 to the FMP 
at its June 1998 meeting pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). If approved by 
NMFS, this amendment would prohibit vessels holding a Federal fisheries 
permit from fishing for groundfish or anchoring in the Sitka Pinnacles 
Marine Reserve, a 2.5-square nm area of unusually productive and 
fragile habitat near Cape Edgecumbe. In addition, the amendment would 
prohibit fishing for halibut or anchoring in the area by vessels 
required to have on board an individual fishing quota (IFQ) halibut 
permit under Sec. 679.4(b). In addition, the area would be closed to 
sport fishing for halibut as defined at Sec. 300.61, or anchoring by 
vessels having halibut on board. The International Pacific Halibut 
Commission manages Pacific halibut pursuant to the Northern Pacific 
Halibut Act.
    The proposed Sitka Pinnacles Marine Reserve provides habitat for a 
variety of species at different life stages. Large numbers of juvenile 
and adult rockfish find shelter and protection among the sea plants and 
invertebrates growing on the rock walls. Closure of this area would 
protect the fragile ecosystem in the pinnacles. It would prevent the 
harvest or bycatch of species using the pinnacles during critical 
portions of their life histories, and would allow a vital ecosystem to 
maintain natural population levels in an area surrounded by heavy 
fishing pressure.
    The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that each Regional Fishery 
Management Council submit any fishery management plan or fishery 
management plan amendment it prepares to NMFS for review and approval, 
disapproval, or partial approval. The Magnuson-Stevens Act also 
requires that NMFS, upon receiving a fishery management plan or 
amendment, immediately publish a notification in the Federal Register 
that the amendment is available for public review and comment. This 
action constitutes such notice for FMP Amendment 59. NMFS will consider 
the public comments received during the comment period in determining 
whether to approve Amendment 59. To be considered, a comment must be 
received by close of business on the last day of the comment period 
(see DATES), regardless of the comment's postmark or transmission date. 
A proposed rule that would implement the amendment may be published in 
the Federal Register for public comment following NMFS' evaluation 
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act procedures. Public comments on the 
proposed rule must be received by the end of the comment period on the 
amendment in order to be considered in the approval/disapproval 
decision on the amendment. All comments received by the end of the 
comment period on the amendment, whether specifically directed to the 
amendment or to the proposed rule, will be considered in the approval/
disapproval decision; comments received after that date will not be 
considered in the approval/disapproval decision on the amendment.

    Dated: May 8, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12027 Filed 5-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F