[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 59 (Monday, March 29, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14840-14841]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7607]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 032399C]
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-water
Species Fishery by Vessels using Trawl Gear in 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 species that comprise
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the first seasonal
apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified
to the deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 24, 1999,
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., April 1, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
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 (64
FR 12094, March 11, 1999) established the Pacific halibut bycatch
allowance for the GOA trawl deep-water species fishery, which is
defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(B), for the first season, the period
January 20, 1999, through March 31, 1999, as 100 metric tons.
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the first
seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance
specified for the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been
caught. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the
deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The
species and species groups that comprise the deep-water species fishery
are: All rockfish of the genera Sebastes and Sebastolobus, deep-water
flatfish, rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish.
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 in order
to prevent overharvesting the first seasonal
[[Page 14841]]
apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified
for the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA. A delay in the
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
The first seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch
allowance has been caught. Further delay would only result in
overharvest,S which would disrupt the FMP's objective of apportioning
Pacific halibut mortality allowances throughout the year. 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.
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: March 23, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7607 Filed 3-24-99; 12:52 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
