[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 157 (Monday, August 16, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 44431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21094]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 080999J]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern
Rockfish in the Central 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 directed fishing for northern rockfish in
the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the 1999 total allowable catch (TAC) of
northern rockfish in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 10, 1999,
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 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 1999 TAC of northern rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of
the Gulf of Alaska was established by the Final 1999 Harvest
Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999)
as 4,150 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The directed fishery for northern rockfish in
the Central Regulatory Area was closed under Sec. 679.20(d)(iii) on
July 19, 1999 (64 FR 39090, July 21, 1999), and reopened on August 6,
1999 (64 FR 43296, August 10, 1999).
On July 19, 1999 (64 FR 39090, July 21, 1999), in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator), determined that the 1999 TAC for northern rockfish
would be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator established a
directed fishing allowance of 3,650 mt, and set aside the remaining 500
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 has been reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for northern
rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
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 to
prevent overharvesting the 1999 TAC of northern rockfish for the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay would
only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the
implementation of this action should 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 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 10, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21094 Filed 8-10-99; 4:49 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
