99-20732. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Thornyhead Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 11, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43634-43635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20732]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 080599D]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Thornyhead 
Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of 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 retention of thornyhead rockfish in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catch of thornyhead rockfish in this area be treated in the same 
manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of 
injury. This action is necessary because the 1999 total allowable catch 
(TAC) of thornyhead rockfish in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 6, 1999, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson 907-481-1780 or 
[e-mail].

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 amount of the 1999 TAC of thornyhead rockfish in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA was established as 260 metric tons by the 
Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (64 FR 
12094, March 11, 1999). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the 1999 TAC for 
thornyhead rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been 
reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of 
thornyhead rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA be 
treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

[[Page 43635]]

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the amount of the 1999 TAC for thornyhead 
rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the 
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 
The fleet has taken the 1999 TAC for thornyhead rockfish in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA. 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. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 6, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20732 Filed 8-6-99; 3:28 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F