[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3978]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 981222313-8320-02; I.D. 021299A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Trawling in
Steller Sea Lion Critical Habitat in the Central Aleutian District of
the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting trawling within Steller sea lion critical
habitat in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the
1999 critical habitat percentage of the interim harvest specifications
of Atka mackerel allocated to the Central Aleutian District has been
reached.
DATES: Effeqctive 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 13,
1999, until the directed fishery for Atka mackerel closes within the
Central Aleutian District.
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 50 CFR part 679.
The 1999 interim TAC for Atka mackerel in the Central Aleutian
District is 9,520 metric tons (mt), of which no more than 7,616 mt may
be harvested from critical habitat (64 FR 3446, January 22, 1999). See
Sec. 679.20(c)(2)(ii)(A) and 679.22(a)(8)(iii)(B).
In accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(8)(iii)(A), the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the
allowable harvest of Atka mackerel in Steller sea lion critical habitat
in the Central Aleutian District as specified under the 1999 interim
harvest specifications has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting trawling in critical habitat, as defined at 50 CFR part
226, Table 1, Table 2, and Figure 4, in the Central Aleutian District
of the BSAI.
Classification
This action responds to the interim TAC limitations and final rule
implementing season and area apportionment of Atka mackerel total
allowable catch for the BSAI. It must be implemented immediately to
avoid jeopardy to the continued existence of Steller sea lions. A delay
in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this
action should not 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: February 12, 1999.
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-3978 Filed 2-12-99; 2:34 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
