Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 18, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44858-44859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21434]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 081399A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Northern 
Rockfish in the Western 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 Western 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 13, 1999, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-481-1780 or 
tom.pearson@noaa.gov.

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 Western 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 840 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with 
Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1999 TAC 
for northern rockfish has been reached. Therefore, the Regional 
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 740 mt, 
and is setting aside

[[Page 44859]]

the remaining 100 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 Western Regulatory Area.
    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 
Western 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 13, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21434 Filed 8-13-99; 3:14 pm]
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