[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 142 (Monday, July 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40293-40294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-18997]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9060-01; I.D. 072199A]
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-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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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the third seasonal
apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified
for the trawl deep-water
[[Page 40294]]
species fishery in the GOA has been caught.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 21, 1999,
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 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 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance for the GOA trawl deep-water
species fishery, which is defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(B), 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 400 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 deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been
caught. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the
deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The
species and species groups that comprise the deep-water species fishery
are: rockfish as defined at Sec. 679.2, deep-water flatfish (Dover
sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole), rex sole, arrowtooth
flounder, and sablefish.
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 deep-water
species fishery in the GOA. A delay in the effective date is
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The third seasonal
apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance has been caught.
Further delay would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good
cause that the implementation of this action cannot 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: July 21, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-18997 Filed 7-21-99; 3:52 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
