[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 171 (Friday, September 1, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22509]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 000211040-0040-01; I.D. 082800B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other Red 
Rockfish in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands Management Area

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 other red rockfish in the 
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
area (BSAI). NMFS is requiring that catch of other red rockfish 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 other red rockfish in 
this area has been achieved.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 28, 2000, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI 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 amount of the 2000 TAC of other red rockfish in the Bering Sea 
subarea of the BSAI was established as 165 metric tons by the Final 
2000 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (65 FR 8282, 
February 18, 2000). See Sec.  679.20(c)(3)(iii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the 2000 TAC for other 
red rockfish in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI has been achieved. 
Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of other red rockfish 
in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI 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 of other red rockfish 
in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. A delay in the effective date is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet has taken 
the amount of the 2000 TAC of other red rockfish in the Bering Sea 
subarea of the BSAI. 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 Executive Order 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 28, 2000
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service
[FR Doc. 00-22509 Filed 8-29-00; 2:28 pm]
BILLING CODE: 3510-22-S