[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 16, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32207-32208]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15277]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 061099B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 620
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 pollock in
Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of
pollock total allowable catch (TAC) in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 11, 1999,
until 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919 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
[[Page 32208]]
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 second seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC is equal to 20
percent of the annual TAC (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(ii)(C)). The pollock TAC
in Statistical Area 620 was established by the Final 1999 Harvest
Specifications for Groundfish (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999) as 38,840
metric tons (mt) for the entire 1999 fishing year. In accordance with
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(ii)(C) the second seasonal apportionment of pollock
TAC in the Statistical Area 620 is 7,768 mt.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the second
seasonal apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 has been
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a
directed fishing allowance of 7,568 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 pollock
in Statistical Area 620.
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
Classification
This action responds to the second seasonal 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 second seasonal
apportionment of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA. A
delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. 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 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: June 10, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-15277 Filed 6-11-99; 2:57 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
