[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49103-49104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23459]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 090399A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka
Mackerel to Vessels Using ``Other Gear'' in the Eastern Aleutian
District and Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
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 Atka mackerel by
vessels using ``other gear'' in the Eastern Aleutian District and the
Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1999
initial total allowable catch (ITAC) of Atka mackerel allocated to
vessels using ``other gear'' in the Eastern Aleutian District and the
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 7,
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 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 are found at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and CFR part 679.
The 1999 ITAC of Atka mackerel allocated to vessels using ``other
gear'' in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea was
established by the Final 1999 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish (64
FR 12103, March 11, 1999) as 15,568 metric tons (mt). See
Sec. 679.20(c)(6) and 679.20(a)(8).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1999
ITAC of Atka mackerel allocated to vessels using ``other gear'' in the
Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea subarea will be reached.
Therefore, the Regional
[[Page 49104]]
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 15,068
mt, and is setting aside the remaining 500 mt as bycatch to support
other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this
directed fishing allowance soon will be reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel for vessels using
``other gear'' in the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea
subarea of the BSAI.
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 overharvesting the 1999 ITAC of Atka mackerel allocated to
vessels using ``other gear'' in the Eastern Aleutian District and the
Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. A delay in the effective date is
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay would
only result in overharvest. 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 is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 3, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23459 Filed 9-3-99; 4:07 pm]
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