[Federal Register: September 17, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 180)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 50474-50475] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr17se99-20] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 091099A] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in the Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Inseason adjustment; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS issues an inseason adjustment to open directed fishing for pollock within the C fishing season in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This adjustment is necessary to manage the C seasonal allowance of the pollock total allowable catch (TAC). DATES: Directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 will be open at 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 14, 1999. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., September 29, 1999. ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, Attn: Lori Gravel. Hand delivery or courier delivery of comments may be sent to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Room 453, Juneau, AK 99801. [[Page 50475]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 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. NMFS issued an inseason adjustment effective September 1, 1999, limiting the initial opening of the C season fishery in Statistical Area 630 to 24 hours in accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i)(64 FR 48332, September 3, 1999). NMFS also extended the C fishing season by inseason adjustment to delay the start of the D fishing season until the agency had determined whether sufficient amounts of the C season allowance remained unharvested to allow another opening within the C fishing season prior to the harvest of the pollock authorized for the D season. NMFS has determined that 4,346 metric tons (mt) of pollock remain in the C seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. NMFS has determined that the C seasonal allowance of pollock has not been taken and is terminating the previous C fishing season directed fishing closure in Statistical Area 630. In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(2)(iii), NMFS has determined that opening directed fishing in the C fishing season at 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 14, 1999, is the least restrictive management adjustment to achieve the C seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC. Pursuant to Sec. 679.25(b)(2), NMFS has considered data regarding catch per unit effort and rate of harvest in making this adjustment. Classification The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds for good cause that providing prior notice and public comment or delaying the effective date of this action is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Without this inseason adjustment, the C seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA would not be harvested in accordance with the regulatory schedule. Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the preceding address until September 29, 1999. This action is required by Secs. 679.20 and 679.25 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 14, 1999. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 99-24283 Filed 9-14-99; 3:19 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F