[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 49685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23806]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 090899B]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch in the Western Regulatory Area of 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 retention of Pacific ocean perch in the
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring
that catch of Pacific ocean perch in this area be treated in the same
manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of
injury. This action is necessary because the amount of the 1999 total
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in this area has been
achieved.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 8,
1999, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson 907-481-1780 or
[email protected].
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 Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (64
FR 12094, March 11, 1999) established the amount of the 1999 TAC of
Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA as 1,850
metric tons. See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(2), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS, has determined that the amount of the 1999 TAC for
Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been
achieved. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of Pacific
ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as
prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(b).
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to
prevent overharvesting the amount of the 1999 TAC for Pacific ocean
perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. A delay in the
effective date is impracticable and contrary to public interest. The
fleet has taken the amount of the 1999 TAC for Pacific ocean perch in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. Further delay would only result
in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of
this action cannot 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 8, 1999.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-23806 Filed 9-8-99; 4:59 pm]
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