99-23442. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49102-49103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23442]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

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


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 retention of northern rockfish in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catch of northern 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 northern 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 northern rockfish in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA was established as 4,150 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 
northern rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been 
achieved. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of northern 
rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as 
prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

[[Page 49103]]

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 northern 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 northern 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. 99-23442 Filed 9-3-99; 3:50 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F