Fishery conservation and management: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone— Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands groundfish,

[Federal Register: February 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 24)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 5720]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr05fe99-12]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 981222313-8320-02; I.D. 020199A]

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish by Vessels Using Non-pelagic Trawl Gear in the Red King Crab Savings Subarea

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 groundfish with non- pelagic trawl gear in the red king crab savings subarea (RKCSS) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to utilize the amount of the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 1, 1999, until superseded by the Final 1999 Harvest Specification for Groundfish, which will be published in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 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 CFR part 679.

The amount of the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS was established as 10,000 animals by the Interim 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (64 FR 50, January 4, 1999). The directed fishery for groundfish with non-pelagic trawl gear was closed effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t. January 25, 1999 in accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(ii)(B)(64 FR 4602, January 29, 1999) because it was expected that the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS would be caught.

NMFS has determined that as of January 25, 1999, 3,000 red king crab remain in the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for groundfish with non-pelagic trawl gear in the RKCSS.

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 amount of the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS remaining. Providing prior notice and opportunity for public comment for this action is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 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: February 1, 1999. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 99-2691Filed2-1-99; 3:43 pm]

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