[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 195 (Friday, October 8, 1999)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 54791-54792] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-26326] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 100599C] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Catching Pacific Cod for Processing by the Inshore Component 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 directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1999 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Dates
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 5, 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 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 12904, March 11, 1999) and subsequent reserve apportionment (64 FR 16362, April 5, 1999) established the Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area as 38,642 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with Sec. 679.20(c)(4)(ii). The directed fishery for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area was closed under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on March 14, 1999, (64 FR 13122, March 17, 1999) and reopened on September 1, 1999 (64 FR 46317, August 25, 1999). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component of the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 37,642 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 1,000 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 will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
Classification
This action responds to the final TAC limitations and other restrictions on the fisheries established in the final 1999 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA. It must be implemented immediately to prevent overharvesting the Pacific cod TAC apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and 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 Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 5, 1999. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-26326 Filed 10-5-99; 2:50 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F