[Federal Register: October 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 201)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 56272]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc99-10]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 101399D]

 
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Other 
Rockfish in the Aleutian Islands Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands Management Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of other rockfish in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). NMFS is requiring that catch of other rockfish 
in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and 
discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary 
because the amount of the 1999 total allowable catch (TAC) of other 
rockfish in this area has been achieved.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 14, 
1999, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the 
BSAI 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 amount of the 1999 TAC of 
other rockfish in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI as 583 
metric tons. See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the 1999 TAC for other 
rockfish in the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI has been achieved. 
Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of other rockfish in 
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI be treated as prohibited 
species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).

Classification

    This action responds to the best available information recently 
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to 
prevent overharvesting the amount of the 1999 TAC for other rockfish in 
the Aleutian Islands subarea of the BSAI. A delay in the effective date 
is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The fleet has 
taken the amount of the 1999 TAC for other rockfish in the Aleutian 
Islands subarea of the BSAI. 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. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: October 13, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27231 Filed 10-14-99; 3:48 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F