[Federal Register: October 4, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 191)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 53630]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04oc99-12]                         


[[Page 53630]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 092899B]

 
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Vessels 
Catching Pollock for Processing by the Inshore Component In the Bering 
Sea Subarea

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in the 
critical habitat/catcher vessel operational area (CH/CVOA) of the 
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management 
area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the C season limit of 
pollock total allowable catch (TAC) specified for the inshore component 
within the CH/CVOA will be reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 29, 
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.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(i)(C)(1) and the revised 
emergency interim rule (64 FR 39087, July 21, 1999), the C season limit 
of pollock TAC specified for harvest by the inshore component within 
the CH/CVOA is 79,307 metric tons (mt).
    In accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(A) the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the C 
season limit of pollock total allowable catch specified for harvest by 
the inshore component within the CH/CVOA will be reached.
    Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by 
vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component within 
the CH/CVOA conservation zone, as defined at Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(B).
    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 in order 
to prevent exceeding the C season limit of pollock TAC specified to the 
inshore component for harvest within the CH/CVOA. A delay in the 
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 
Further delay would result in noncompliance with reasonable and prudent 
management measures implemented to promote the recovery of the 
endangered Steller sea lion. NMFS finds for good cause that the 
implementation of this action can 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. 679.22 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: September 28, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25680 Filed 9-29-99; 3:59 pm]
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