Fishery conservation and management: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone Rockfish,
[Federal Register: August 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 159)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 44858-44859]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18au99-12]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[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.
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. 99-21434Filed8-13-99; 3:14 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
