[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 39 (Monday, March 1, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9937-9938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5017]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990115017-9017-01; I.D. 022399B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Vessels
Greater Than 99 feet (30.2 m) LOA Catching Pollock for Processing by
the Inshore Component in the Bering Sea
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
greater than 99 feet (30.2 m) length over all (LOA) catching pollock
for processing by the inshore component in the critical habitat/catcher
vessel operation area (CH/CVOA) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the A2 season
limit of pollock total allowable catch specified for the inshore
component within the CH/CVOA will be reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 24,
1999, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., August 1, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 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
interim 1999 TAC amounts for pollock in the Bering Sea subarea (64 FR
3437, January 22, 1999), the A2 season limit of pollock total allowable
catch specified for the inshore component for harvest within the CH/
CVOA is 36,716 metric tons (mt).
In accordance with Sec. 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(A) and (C)(2) the
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has
determined that the A2 season limit of pollock total allowable catch
specified to the inshore component for harvest
[[Page 9938]]
within the CH/CVOA will be reached. The Regional Administrator has
estimated that 1,000 mt is likely to be harvested by catcher vessels
less than or equal to 99 feet (30.2 m) LOA during the remainder of the
A2 season and is reserving that amount to accommodate fishing by such
vessels after the closure of the CH/CVOA to vessels greater than 99
feet (30.2 m) LOA.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by
vessels greater than 99 feet (30.2 m) LOA 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 A2 season limit of pollock total allowable
catch 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: February 24, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-5017 Filed 2-24-99; 4:08 pm]
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