[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 16, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31104-31105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12297]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 000211039-0039-01; I.D. 050800A]


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 second seasonal halibut bycatch mortality allowance 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.), May 18, 2000, 
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 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.
    The Final 2000 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (65 
FR 8298, February 18, 2000) established 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), for the second 
season, the period May 18, 2000, through August 31, 2000, as 15 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 (Regional Administrator), has determined that the second 
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 overharvesting the second 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. The second 
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. 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.


[[Page 31105]]


    Dated: May 10, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12297 Filed 5-15-00; 8:45 am]
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