[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 151 (Friday, August 4, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 47907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-19714]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 000211039-0039-01; I.D. 073100B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
in the Western Regulatory Area of 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 retention of Pacific cod in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that 
catch of Pacific cod in this area be treated in the same manner as 
prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This 
action is necessary because the amount of the 2000 total allowable 
catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in this area has been achieved.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 31, 2000, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 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 amount of the 2000 TAC of Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory 
Area of the GOA was established as 20,625 metric tons by the Final 2000 
Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (65 FR 8298, February 
18, 2000) and subsequent reserve release (65 FR 20919, April 19, 2000). 
See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the 2000 TAC for 
Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been 
achieved. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of Pacific 
cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited 
species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the amount of the 2000 TAC for Pacific cod by 
vessels catching Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. 
A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the 
public interest. The fleet has taken the amount of the 2000 TAC for 
Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. Further delay 
would only result in overharvest. 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: July 31, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-19714 Filed 8-1-00; 10:19 am]
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