[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 77836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31733]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 000211040-0040-01; I.D. 120800B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Processor Vessels Using Hook-and-line in 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 Pacific cod by
catcher processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea
and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary
to prevent exceeding the 2000 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific
cod allocated for catcher processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in
this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 9,
2000, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2000.
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.
The share of the 2000 TAC of Pacific cod allocated to catcher
processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI was established
by the Revision of the 2000 BSAI Pacific cod Harvest Specifications of
Groundfish for the BSAI (65 FR 51553, August 24, 2000) and subsequent
reallocation (65 FR 65272, November 1, 2000) as a directed fishing
allowance of 81,958 mt. See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii) and Sec.
679.20(a)(7)(i)(A)&(C).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Administrator,
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the
2000 TAC of Pacific cod allocated to catcher processor vessels using
hook-and-line gear as a directed fishing allowance in the BSAI will
soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for
Pacific cod for vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in 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 in order
to prevent overharvesting the 2000 TAC of Pacific cod allocated to
catcher processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI. NMFS
finds that the prevention of overharvesting of Pacific cod constitutes
good cause to waive the requirement for prior notice and comment
pursuant to 5 U.S.C 553(b)(B) as such procedures are contrary to the
public interest. The Pacific cod directed fishing allowance established
for catcher processor vessels using hook-and-line gear will soon be
reached. Further delay would only result in overharvest. 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. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under Executive Order 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: December 8, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-31733 Filed 12-8-00; 4:44 pm]
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