Fishery conservation and management: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone Pacific cod,
[Federal Register: April 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 74)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 19069]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19ap99-12]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 041299B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Western 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.
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully utilize the total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in that area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 18, 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.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(iii), the Final 1999 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999), and subsequent reserve apportionment (64 FR 16362, April 5, 1999) established the allowance of the 1999 Pacific cod TAC apportioned for vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA as 2,363 metric tons (mt).
The offshore component fishery for Pacific cod in the GOA was closed 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 April 3, 1999, approximately 2,000 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 the Western 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: April 13, 1999. Bruce Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-9699Filed4-14-99; 4:07 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
