[Federal Register: January 29, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 19)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 4602-4603] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr29ja99-22] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 981222313-8320-02; I.D. 012199C] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Other Than Pollock by Catcher/Processors Identified in Section 208(e)(1)-(20) of the American Fisheries Act 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 specified groundfish fisheries for specific catcher/ [[Page 4603]] processors identified in the American Fisheries Act (AFA) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). These actions are necessary to prevent exceeding the amount of the 1999 interim harvest limitations of groundfish other than pollock, established under the AFA for listed catcher/processors. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 25, 1999, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999. 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. In accordance with section 211(b)(2)(A) of the AFA, the Interim 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI (64 FR 50, January 4, 1999) established harvest limitations of groundfish other than pollock for the specific catcher/processors identified in section 208(e)(1)-(20) of the AFA (listed catcher/processors). NMFS filed an emergency interim rule on January 15, 1999, that establishes inseason authority to limit harvesting activities of the listed catcher/ processors to minimize the potential for specified harvest limitations being exceeded. Under the new emergency rule regulations at Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv), if the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), determines that any harvest limitation of groundfish other than pollock, established under section 211(b)(2)(A) of the AFA for listed catcher/processors will be reached, the Regional Administrator may establish a directed fishing allowance for the species or species group applicable only to the listed catcher/processors. 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 subarea or district applicable only to the listed catcher/processors (Sec. 697.20). The Regional Administrator has determined that the following harvest limitation amounts are necessary as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries for the 1999 fishing year (amounts in metric tons): Greenland turbot: Aleutian Islands............................................... 19 Bering Sea..................................................... 85 Pacific ocean perch: Eastern Aleutian Islands....................................... 47 Central Aleutian Islands....................................... 45 Western Aleutian Islands....................................... 136 Bering Sea..................................................... 12 ``Other rockfish'': Aleutian Islands............................................... 29 Bering Sea..................................................... 12 Sablefish trawl gear: Aleutian Islands............................................... 0 Bering Sea..................................................... 3 Sharpchin/northern: Aleutian Islands............................. 280 Shortraker/rougheye rockfish: Aleutian Islands................... 8 ``Other red rockfish'': Bering Sea............................... In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv), the Regional Administrator establishes these amounts as directed fishing allowances. The Regional Administrator finds that these directed fishing allowances will be reached before the end of the year. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by the listed catcher processors for these species in the specified areas. These closures will remain in effect through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999. Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). Classification This action responds to the harvest limitations and other restrictions on the fisheries established in the Interim 1999 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish for the BSAI. It must be implemented immediately to prevent exceeding the harvest limitations of several groundfish species in the BSAI. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 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. This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and Sec. 679.21 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 25, 1999. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-2066 Filed 1-25-99; 4:11 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P