99-20904. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 155 (Thursday, August 12, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43941-43942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-20904]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 080999B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other 
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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of other rockfish in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that 
catch of other 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 amount of the 1999 total allowable 
catch (TAC) of other rockfish in this area has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 9, 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

[[Page 43942]]

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 1999 TAC of other rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of 
the GOA was established as 20 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 1999 TAC of other rockfish in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
requiring that further catches of other rockfish in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in 
accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the 1999 TAC for other 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 amount of the 1999 TAC for other 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 9, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-20904 Filed 8-9-99; 4:56 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F