99-16673. Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Shallow- water Species Fishery by Vessels using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska  

  • [Federal Register Volume 64, Number 125 (Wednesday, June 30, 1999)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 35080-35081]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 99-16673]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 679
    
    [Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 062399A]
    
    
    Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Shallow-
    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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    [[Page 35081]]
    
    SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise 
    the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the 
    Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for vessels fishing for pollock using 
    pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed 
    fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the third 
    seasonal apportionment of the 1999 halibut bycatch allowance specified 
    for the trawl shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught.
    
    DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 4, 1999, 
    until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 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 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance for the GOA trawl shallow-
    water species fishery, which is defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(A), 
    was established by the Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish 
    for the GOA (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999) for the third season, the 
    period July 4, 1999, through September 30, 1999, as 200 metric tons.
        In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
    Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the third 
    seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance 
    specified for the trawl shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has 
    been caught. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the 
    shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, 
    except for vessels fishing for pollock using pelagic trawl gear in 
    those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. The 
    species and species groups that comprise the shallow-water species 
    fishery are: pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead 
    sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other species''.
        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 third seasonal apportionment of the 1999 
    Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl shallow-water 
    species fishery in the GOA. A delay in the effective date is 
    impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet has 
    already taken the third seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut. 
    Further delay would only result in the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch 
    allowance specified for the trawl shallow-water species fishery in the 
    GOA being exceeded. 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: June 23, 1999.
    Bruce C. Morehead,
    Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
    Fisheries Service.
    [FR Doc. 99-16673 Filed 6-29-99; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/4/1999
Published:
06/30/1999
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Closure.
Document Number:
99-16673
Dates:
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 4, 1999, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 1999.
Pages:
35080-35081 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 990304062-9062-01, I.D. 062399A
PDF File:
99-16673.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 679