99-2067. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish by Vessels Using Non-pelagic Trawl Gear in the Red King Crab Savings Subarea  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 19 (Friday, January 29, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Page 4602]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-2067]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 679
    
    [Docket No. 981222313-8320-02; I.D. 012599B]
    
    
    Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
    by Vessels Using Non-pelagic Trawl Gear in the Red King Crab Savings 
    Subarea
    
    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 with non-
    pelagic trawl gear in the red king crab savings subarea (RKCSS) of the 
    Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is 
    necessary to prevent exceeding the amount of the interim 1999 red king 
    crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS.
    
    DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 25, 
    until superseded by the Final 1999 Harvest Specification for 
    Groundfish, which will be published in the Federal Register.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7228.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
    BSAI exclusive economic zone 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 CFR part 679.
        The Interim 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (64 FR 50, 
    January 4, 1999) established the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch 
    limit in the RKCSS as 10,000 animals
        In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(ii)(B), the Administrator, 
    Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the interim 1999 
    red king crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS will be caught. 
    NMFS is closing the RKCSS to directed fishing for groundfish with non-
    pelagic trawl gear.
        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 to 
    prevent exceeding the amount of the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch 
    limit specified for the RKCSS. Providing prior notice and an 
    opportunity for public comment on this action is impracticable and 
    contrary to the public interest. The fleet will soon take the amount. 
    Further delay would only result in the amount of the interim 1999 red 
    king crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS being exceeded. NMFS 
    finds for good cause that the implementation of this action cannot be 
    delayed for 30 days. Accordingly, under 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.
    
        Dated: January 25, 1999.
    Gary C. Matlock,
    Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 99-2067 Filed 1-25-99; 4:22 pm]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
1/25/1999
Published:
01/29/1999
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Closure.
Document Number:
99-2067
Dates:
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 25, until superseded by the Final 1999 Harvest Specification for Groundfish, which will be published in the Federal Register.
Pages:
4602-4602 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 981222313-8320-02, I.D. 012599B
PDF File:
99-2067.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679