99-23805. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker and Rougheye Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49685-49686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23805]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 090899C]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker 
and Rougheye Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National

[[Page 49686]]

    Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of shortraker and rougheye 
rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). 
NMFS is requiring that catch of shortraker and rougheye 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 
shortraker and rougheye rockfish in this area has been achieved.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 8, 
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 Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (64 
FR 12094, March 11, 1999) established the amount of the 1999 TAC of 
shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the 
GOA as 160 metric tons. 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 
shortraker and rougheye rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the 
GOA has been achieved. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further 
catches of shortraker and rougheye 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 amount of the 1999 TAC for shortraker and 
rougheye 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 shortraker 
and rougheye 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: September 8, 1999.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23805 Filed 9-8-99; 4:59 pm]
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