[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 31288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12370]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 000211039-0039-01; I.D. 051200B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water
Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
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 species that comprise
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal
apportionment of the 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified
for the deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 13, 2000,
until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., July 4, 2000.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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.
The Pacific halibut bycatch allowance for the GOA trawl deep-water
species fishery, which is defined at Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)(B), was
established by the Final 2000 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish for
the GOA (65 FR 8298, February 18, 2000) for the second season, the
period April 1, 2000, through July 3, 2000, as 300 metric tons.
In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS, has determined that the second seasonal apportionment of
the 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl
deep-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught. Consequently,
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the deep-water species fishery
by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups
that comprise the deep-water species fishery are: all rockfish of the
genera Sebastes and Sebastolobus, deep water flatfish, rex sole,
arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish.
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 second seasonal apportionment of the 2000
Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deep-water
species fishery in the GOA. A delay in the effective date is
impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The second seasonal
apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch allowance has been caught.
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. 679.21 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 12, 2000.
George H. Darcy,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12370 Filed 5-12-00; 4:44 pm]
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