[Federal Register: January 5, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 2)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 428-429] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr05ja99-18] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 981222314-8321-02; I.D. 122898B] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Closures of Specified Groundfish Fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is closing specified groundfish fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the directed fishing allowances specified for the 1999 interim total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for the GOA. DATES: Effective 0001 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 1, 1999, until superseded by the notice of Final 1999 Harvest Specification for Groundfish, which will be published in the Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228. 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(d), if the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), determines that the amount of a target species or ``other species'' category apportioned to a fishery will be reached, the Regional Administrator may establish a directed fishing allowance for that species or species group. If the Regional Administrator establishes a directed fishing allowance, and that allowance is or will be reached before the end of the fishing year, NMFS will prohibit directed fishing for that species or species group in the specified GOA Regulatory Area or district (Sec. 697.20(d)(1)(iii)). NMFS will publish interim 1999 harvest specifications for these groundfish fisheries in the January 4, 1999, publication of the Federal Register. The Regional Administrator has determined that the following interim TAC amounts will be reached and are necessary as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries prior to the time that final specifications for groundfish are likely to be in effect for the 1999 fishing year: Thornyhead rockfish: entire GOA Atka mackerel: entire GOA Sablefish: entire GOA Shortraker/rougheye rockfish: entire GOA Deep-water flatfish: Western Regulatory Area Northern rockfish: Eastern Regulatory Area ``Other rockfish'': Western and Central Regulatory Area Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(i), the Regional Administrator establishes these interim TAC amounts as directed fishing allowances. Further, The Regional Administrator finds that these directed fishing allowances will be reached before the end of the year. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for these species in the specified areas. These closures will be in effect beginning at 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 1999, until superseded by the notice of Final 1999 Initial Harvest Specifications for Groundfish. The maximum retainable bycatch amounts at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a fishing trip while these closures are in effect. Additional closures and restrictions may be found in existing regulations at 50 CFR part 679. These closures to directed fishing are in addition to closures and prohibitions found in regulations at 50 CFR part 679. Refer to Sec. 679.2 for definitions of areas. The definitions of GOA deep-water flatfish and ``Other rockfish'' species categories are provided in the January 4, 1999, Federal Register publication of the interim 1999 harvest specifications. NMFS may implement other closures under the interim specifications, at the time the notice of Final 1999 Initial Harvest Specifications are implemented, [[Page 429]] or during the 1999 fishing year, as necessary for effective conservation and management. Classification This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. This action responds to the interim TAC limitations and other restrictions on the fisheries established in the interim 1999 harvest specifications for groundfish for the GOA. It must be implemented immediately to prevent overharvesting the 1999 interim TAC of several groundfish species in the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet will begin to harvest groundfish on January 1, 1999. 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. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 29, 1998. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-34831 Filed 12-30-98; 3:06 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P