Federal Register: October 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 191)Rules and RegulationsPage 53630From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr04oc99-12

[Page 53630]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 092899BFisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Vessels Catching Pollock for Processing by the Inshore Component In the Bering Sea Subarea

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in the critical habitat/catcher vessel operational area (CH/CVOA) of the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the C season limit of pollock total allowable catch (TAC) specified for the inshore component within the CH/CVOA will be reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 29, 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.

In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C)(1) and the revised emergency interim rule (64 FR 39087, July 21, 1999), the C season limit of pollock TAC specified for harvest by the inshore component within the CH/CVOA is 79,307 metric tons (mt).

In accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(A) the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the C season limit of pollock total allowable catch specified for harvest by the inshore component within the CH/CVOA will be reached.

Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component within the CH/CVOA conservation zone, as defined at Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(B).

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 in order to prevent exceeding the C season limit of pollock TAC specified to the inshore component for harvest within the CH/CVOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay would result in noncompliance with reasonable and prudent management measures implemented to promote the recovery of the endangered Steller sea lion. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this action can 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. 679.22 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: September 28, 1999. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

FR Doc. 99-25680Filed9-29-99; 3:59 pmBILLING CODE 3510-22-F