[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 174 (Thursday, September 7, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54179-54180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22963]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 000211039-0039-01; I.D. 083000H]


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 closing 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 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for 
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.), September 1 , 
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 
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 a 290 metric ton 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). The other hook-and-line fishery includes all 
groundfish, except sablefish and demersal shelf rockfish.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(d)(7)(ii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that 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

[[Page 54180]]

closing 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 exceeding 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 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance 
specified for 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 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.  679.21 and is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866.

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

    Dated: September 1, 2000.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-22963 Filed 9-1-00; 4:34 pm]
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