[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 1, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 47714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22662]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 082699E]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock by
Vessels Catching Pollock for Processing by the Inshore Component in the
Bering Sea Subarea
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 pollock by vessels
catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in the Bering
Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1999 B season
pollock total allowable catch (TAC) specified to the inshore component
in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 26, 1999,
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 15, 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.
In accordance with Section 206(b)(1) of the American Fisheries Act,
50 percent of the remainder of the pollock TAC in the BSAI after the
subtraction of the allocation to the pollock Community Development
Quota and the subtraction of allowances for the incidental catch of
pollock by vessels harvesting other groundfish species, shall be
allocated as a directed fishing allowance to catcher vessels harvesting
pollock for processing by the inshore component. In accordance with
Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C)(1), the Bering Sea pollock TAC allocated for
processing by the inshore component is divided into four seasonal
allowances. The final 1999 amount for B season pollock in the Bering
Sea subarea is 125,885 metric tons (64 FR 12103, March 11, 1999) and
(64 FR 39087, July 21, 1999).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS, finds that this directed fishing allowance soon
will be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
pollock by vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore
component in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 exceeding the final 1999 B season pollock TAC specified to
the inshore component in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. A delay in
the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public
interest. 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 26, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service
[FR Doc. 99-22662 Filed 8-26-99; 4:47 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
