[Federal Register: February 19, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 33)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 8269]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19fe99-14]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 981222313-8320-02; I.D. 021299B]

 
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: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is closing 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 prevent exceeding 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 14, 
1999, until superseded by the Final 1999 Harvest Specification for 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 Interim 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (64 FR 50, 
January 4, 1999) established the amount of the interim 1999 red king 
crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS as 10,000 animals. The RKCSS 
was closed to fishing with non-pelagic trawl gear on January 25, 1999 
(64 FR 4602, January 29, 1999) and then re-opened on February 1, 1999 
(64 FR 5720, February 5, 1999) when it was determined that the bycatch 
limit was not fully utilized.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.21(e)(7)(ii)(B), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the interim 1999 
red king crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS will be caught. 
NMFS is closing the RKCSS to directed fishing for groundfish with non-
pelagic trawl gear.
    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 to 
prevent exceeding the amount of the interim 1999 red king crab bycatch 
limit specified for the RKCSS. Providing prior notice and an 
opportunity for public comment on this action is impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. The fleet will soon take the amount. 
Further delay would only result in the amount of the interim 1999 red 
king crab bycatch limit specified for the RKCSS 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: February 12, 1999.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-4030 Filed 2-12-99; 5:00 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F