[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18373-18374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9306]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 040999A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels using Trawl Gear in 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 closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher
vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the portion of the 1999 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod
allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 11, 1999,
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.
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.
The Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI
(64 FR 12103, March 11, 1999) established the portion of the TAC of
Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI
as 38,475 metric tons (mt). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii) and
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(B).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the portion
of the TAC of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear
in the BSAI will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 34,475 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 4,000 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. Consequently, NMFS is closing directed fishing for
Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI.
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 1999 TAC of Pacific cod allocated to
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI. A delay in the effective
date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The Pacific
cod directed fishing allowance established for catcher vessels will
soon be reached. Further delay would only result in overharvest which
would disrupt the FMP's objective of providing sufficient Pacific cod
to support bycatch needs in other anticipated groundfish fisheries
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. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
[[Page 18374]]
Dated: April 9, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-9306 Filed 4-9-99; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
