99-23441. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pelagic Shelf Rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23441]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 090199D ]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pelagic 
Shelf 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 retention of pelagic shelf rockfish in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catch of pelagic shelf 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 pelagic shelf rockfish in this area has 
been achieved.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 3, 
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 pelagic shelf rockfish in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA was established as 3,370 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 
pelagic shelf rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has 
been achieved. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of 
pelagic shelf rockfish in the Central 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 amount of the 1999 TAC for pelagic shelf 
rockfish in the Central 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 pelagic shelf 
rockfish in the Central 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: September 2, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23441 Filed 9-3-99; 3:50 pm]
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