[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 110 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 30927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-14631]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 060499B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Vessels Using Pot 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 prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the second seasonal allowance of the 1999 total allowable catch (TAC)
of Pacific cod allocated for vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear
in this area. Fishing with hook-and-line gear was previously prohibited
under halibut mortality bycatch restrictions.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 9, 1999,
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 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 second seasonal allowance
of the TAC of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using hook-and-line and
pot gear in the BSAI during the time period May 1 to August 31 as 8,500
metric tons (mt). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii) and
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(A).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the second
seasonal allowance of the TAC of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using
hook-and-line and pot gear in the BSAI will be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of
8,400 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 100 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
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot 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 second seasonal allowance of the 1999 TAC
of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in
the BSAI. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary
to the public interest. The Pacific cod directed fishing second
seasonal allowance established for vessels using hook-and-line and pot
gear 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.
Dated: June 4, 1999.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-14631 Filed 6-4-99; 4:19 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
