[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 49 (Monday, March 15, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6163]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 030999B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Inshore Component
in the Western 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 directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in
the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the final specification for Pacific cod
by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component
in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 8, 1999,
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Hindman, 907-581-2062.
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, which were filed on March 8,
1999, and will be published in the Federal Register on March 11, 1999,
established the final specification of Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) for processing by the inshore component of the Western
Regulatory Area as 17,014 metric tons (mt) in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the amount
of the 1999 final specification of Pacific cod for processing by the
inshore component of the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will be
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 16,714 mt, and is setting aside the
remaining 300 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish
fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will soon be
reached. NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
Classification
This action responds to the final TAC limitations and other
restrictions on the fisheries established in the final 1999 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA. It must be implemented
immediately to prevent overharvesting the 1999 final TAC for Pacific
cod allocated for processing by the inshore component in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and further delay
would only result in overharvest. 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: March 9, 1999 .
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-6163 Filed 3-10-99; 9:02 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
