[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13294-13295]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5263]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 021601B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Prohibited 
Species Donation Progran

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

ACTION: Authorization and Renewal.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the renewal of Northwest Food Strategies' (NFS) 
authorization to donate Pacific halibut to economically disadvantaged 
individuals under the Prohibited Species Donation (PSD) program. This 
action is necessary to comply with provisions of the PSD program 
implemented at 50 CFR part 679.

DATES: January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the PSD Permit may be obtained from the 
Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802-21668, Attn: Lori Gravel. Copies of Amendments 50 to 
the groundfish FMPs and of the Environmental Assessment/Regulatory 
Impact Review (EA/RIR) prepared for the amendments may be obtained from 
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, 605 West 4th Ave., Suite 
306, Anchorage, AK 99510-2252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nina Mollett, 907-586-7462.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The domestic groundfish fisheries in the exclusive economic zone of 
the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 
are managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management Plan for 
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska and the Fishery Management Plan for 
the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area 
(FMPs). The FMPs were prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management 
Council under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing the Alaska groundfish 
fisheries appear at 50 CFR parts 600 and 679. Fishing for Pacific 
halibut in waters in and off Alaska is governed by the Convention 
between the United States and Canada for the Preservation of the 
Halibut Fishery of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea and by 
regulations adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission and 
approved by the Secretary of State of the United States pursuant to 
section 4 of the Northern Pacific Halibut Act (16 U.S.C. 773-773k).
    Amendments 50/50 to the FMPs, which authorize the PSD program, were 
published in the Federal Register on June 12, 1998 (63 FR 32144). These 
amendments expanded the existing Salmon Donation Program by creating a 
program that includes Pacific halibut as well. The regulations 
authorize the voluntary distribution of Pacific halibut, taken 
incidentally in groundfish trawl fisheries off Alaska and landed at 
shoreside processing plants, to needy individuals by tax-exempt 
organizations, through an authorized distributor.
    The Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator) selected NFS, 600 Erickson Avenue, Suite 395, Bainbridge 
Island, WA 98110 to be an authorized distributor, as defined by 50 CFR 
679.2, based on information submitted by NFS as required under Sec.  
679.26. The selection was announced in the Federal Register (63 FR 
43380, August 13, 1998) and a permit was issued to NFS. A PSD permit 
issued to an authorized distributor may be renewed following 
application procedures at Sec.  679.26(b).
    The PSD program was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2000. This 
sunset provision was established to allow time for agency evaluation 
before Council action was taken to make it a permanent program. 
Following evaluation, NMFS permanently extended the PSD program on 
January 1, 2001 (65 FR 78119, December 14, 2000).
    NFS had been authorized to distribute Pacific halibut under the PSD 
program from August 13, 1998, through December 31. 2000. During this 
period, NFS effectively coordinated the distribution of prohibited 
halibut bycatch for 3 years. NFS employed an independent seafood 
laboratory to ensure product quality and received support from cold 
storage facilities and common carriers servicing the areas where 
Pacific halibut donation would take place. The company worked with 
three shoreside processors located in Dutch Harbor, AK. Approximately 6 
to 10 metric tons were landed and donated annually. NFS anticipates 
that this amount could increase.
    NFS has submitted an application to renew its status as an 
authorized distributor. NMFS has reviewed NFS' application, and, on the 
basis of information submitted in the application, selects NFS as an 
authorized distributor. This document

[[Page 13295]]

announces NFS' selection and the renewal of NFS' permit through 
December 31, 2003.
    The PSD permit may not be transferred and will be in effect for a 
3-year period unless suspended or revoked. Suspension, modification, or 
revocation could occur under 15 CFR part 904, for noncompliance with 
terms and conditions specified in the permit or for a violation of this 
section or other regulations in 50 CFR part 679.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 679.26.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., 1801 et seq., and 3631 et seq.

    Dated: February 27, 2001.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-5263 Filed 3-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S