[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 33 (Friday, February 19, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4030]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 981222313-8320-02; I.D. 021299B]
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.), February 14,
1999, until superseded by the Final 1999 Harvest Specification for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 amount of the interim 1999 red king
crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS as 10,000 animals. The RKCSS
was closed to fishing with non-pelagic trawl gear on January 25, 1999
(64 FR 4602, January 29, 1999) and then re-opened on February 1, 1999
(64 FR 5720, February 5, 1999) when it was determined that the bycatch
limit was not fully utilized.
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: February 12, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-4030 Filed 2-12-99; 5:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
