Fishery conservation and management: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish; nontrawl fisheries,
[Federal Register: May 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 96)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 27208-27209]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19my99-15]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 051499A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other Nontrawl Fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for each species and species group of groundfish in the other
[[Page 27209]]
nontrawl fishery category in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the first seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the other nontrawl fishery category in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 15, 1999, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 1, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone 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.
The Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (64 FR 12103, March 11, 1999) established the first seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the other nontrawl fishery category, which is defined at Sec. 679.21(e)(4)(ii)(E), as 42 metric tons.
The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(8), that the first seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the other nontrawl fishery category in the BSAI has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is closing the directed fishery for each species and species group of groundfish in the other nontrawl fishery category in the BSAI.
Maximum retainable bycatch may be found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e).
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to prevent exceeding the first seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the other nontrawl fishery category. Providing prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet has taken the allowance. Further delay would only result in the first seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the other nontrawl fishery being exceeded. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this action cannot be delayed for 30 days. Accordingly, under 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: May 14, 1999. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-12580Filed5-14-99; 1:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
