Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 21, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24565]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 091499F]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch in the Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands Management Area

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 Pacific ocean perch in the 
Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). NMFS is requiring that catch of Pacific ocean 
perch 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 Pacific 
ocean perch in this area has been achieved.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 17, 
1999, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 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.
    The amount of the 1999 TAC of Pacific ocean perch in the Western 
Aleutian District of the BSAI was established as 5,753 metric tons by 
the Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (64 FR 
12103, March 11, 1999). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the 1999 TAC for 
Pacific ocean perch in the Western Aleutian District of the BSAI has 
been achieved. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of 
Pacific ocean perch in the Western Aleutian District of the BSAI 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 Pacific ocean 
perch in the Western Aleutian District of the BSAI. 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 Pacific ocean perch 
in the Western Aleutian District of the BSAI. 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 15, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24565 Filed 9-16-99; 2:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F