Fishery conservation and management: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone water species,
[Federal Register: July 26, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 142)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40293-40294]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26jy99-12]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9060-01; I.D. 072199A]
Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in 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 species that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the third seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-water
[[Page 40294]]
species fishery in the GOA has been caught.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 21, 1999, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 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 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance for the GOA trawl deep-water species fishery, which is defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(B), was established by the Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (64 FR 12094, March 11, 1999) for the third season, the period July 4, 1999, through September 30, 1999, as 400 metric tons.
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the third seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups that comprise the deep-water species fishery are: rockfish as defined at Sec. 679.2, deep-water flatfish (Dover sole, Greenland turbot, and deepsea sole), rex sole, arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish.
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 overharvesting the third seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The third seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance has been caught. Further delay would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the 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. 679.21 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 21, 1999. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-18997Filed7-21-99; 3:52 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
