99-27232. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other Rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 19, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56271-56272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27232]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 101399B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other 
Rockfish in the Central 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 other rockfish in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that 
catch of other 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 1999 total allowable catch (TAC) of 
other rockfish in this area has been achieved.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 14, 
1999, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson 907-481-1780 or 
[e-mail].

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 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA 
established the 1999 TAC of other rockfish in the Central Regulatory 
Area of the GOA as 650 metric tons (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999). See 
Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1999 TAC of other rockfish in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been achieved. Therefore, NMFS 
is requiring that further catches of other rockfish in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in 
accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

[[Page 56272]]

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the 1999 TAC of other rockfish in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet has taken 
the 1999 TAC of other rockfish in the Central 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: October 13, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27232 Filed 10-14-99; 3:48 pm]
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