[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 39 (Monday, March 1, 1999)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 9937] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-5018] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 981222314-8321-02; I.D. 021999A] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Central Regulatory Area in the Gulf of Alaska
Agency
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
Action
Modification of a closure.
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Summary
NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully utilize the interim total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in that area.
Dates
Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 25, 1999.
For Further Information Contact
Andrew Smoker, 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. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(iii), the Interim 1999 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish (64 FR 46, January 4, 1999), established the allowance of the interim 1999 Pacific cod TAC apportioned for vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA as 834 metric tons (mt). NMFS closed the offshore component fishery for Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area to directed fishing under Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) on January 20, 1999 (64 FR 3658, January 25, 1999). NMFS has determined that as of February 18, 1999, approximately 500 mt remain in the offshore component directed fishing allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Classification
All other closures remain in full force and effect. This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order to allow full utilization of the Pacific cod TAC. Providing prior notice and opportunity for public comment for this action is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay would only disrupt the FMP objective of providing the Pacific cod TAC for harvest. NMFS finds for good cause that 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: February 24, 1999. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-5018 Filed 2-24-99; 4:08 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F