[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54578-54579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26101]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 100199A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Vessels Less
Than or Equal To 99 Feet LOA Catching Pollock for Processing by the
Inshore Component in the Bering Sea
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of a closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is modifying a closure for pollock by vessels catching
pollock for processing by the inshore component in the critical
habitat/catcher vessel operational area (CH/CVOA) of the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) to exempt from this closure
vessels less than or equal to 99 feet length over all (LOA). This
action is necessary because a sufficient amount of the C season limit
of the pollock total allowable catch (TAC) specified for the inshore
component within the CH/CVOA remains to accommodate fishing by vessels
less than or equal to 99 feet LOA catching pollock for processing by
the inshore component.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 1, 1999
until 2400 hrs A.l.t., December 31, 1999, or until NMFS publishes
further notice in the Federal Register.
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.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C)(1) and the revised
emergency interim rule implementing Steller Sea lion conservation
measures (64 FR 39087, July 21, 1999), the 1999 C season limit of
pollock TAC specified to the inshore component for harvest within the
CH/CVOA is 79,307 metric tons (mt). On September 29, 1999, the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), issued a
notice, which will publish on October 4, 1999, stating that the C
season limit of pollock had been reached and prohibited directed
fishing for pollock by all vessels catching pollock for processing by
the inshore component within the CH/CVOA.
However, in calculating the directed fishing closure, 5,000 mt of
pollock had been reserved to accommodate continued fishing by catcher
vessels less than or equal to 99 feet LOA, consistent with
Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(C)(2). Although the notice prohibited directed
fishing for pollock by all inshore vessels, the intent was to close
directed fishing for catcher vessels greater than 99 feet LOA and to
exempt from the closure catcher vessels less than or equal to 99 feet
LOA.
Consequently, NMFS is modifying the September 29, 1999, directed
fishing closure for inshore pollock in the CH/CVOA to exempt from the
closure catcher vessels less than or equal to 99 feet LOA catching
pollock for processing by the inshore component within the CH/CVOA
conservation zone, as defined at Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(B). The closure
remains in full force and effect for inshore catcher vessels greater
than 99 feet LOA.
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order
to allow for the continued fishing for the C season limit of pollock in
the CH/CVOA by catcher vessels less than or equal to 99 feet LOA
catching pollock for processing by the inshore component. A delay in
the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. Further delay would result in inconsistency with regulation
implementing reasonable and prudent management measures to promote the
recovery of the endangered Steller sea lion. NMFS finds for good cause
that the implementation of this action can not be delayed for 30 days.
Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is
hereby waived.
[[Page 54579]]
This action is required by Sec. 679.22 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 1, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-26101 Filed 10-1-99; 4:29 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
