[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 111 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31151-31152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14746]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 060499C]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
in the Western Regulatory Area in the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component
in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the amount of the 1999 Pacific cod
total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod
for processing by the offshore component in this area.
[[Page 31152]]
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 7, 1999,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-481-1780 or
tom.pearson@noaa.gov.
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 12904, March 11, 1999) and subsequent reserve apportionment (64 FR
16362, April 5, 1999) established the amount of the Pacific cod TAC
allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the
offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area as 2,363 metric tons
(mt), determined in accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(4)(ii).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the amount
of the Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for
processing by the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of
the GOA has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,163 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 200 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 has
been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the
offshore 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 best available information recently
obtained for the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to prevent
overharvesting the amount of the 1999 Pacific cod TAC allocated to
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore 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: June 7, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-14746 Filed 6-7-99; 2:35 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
