[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52473]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25249]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304062-9062-01; I.D. 092399A]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason adjustment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS issues an inseason adjustment opening the D fishing
season for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA)
for 12 hours effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September
23, 1999, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., September 23, 1999. This adjustment
is necessary to manage the D seasonal allowance of the pollock total
allowable catch (TAC) in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 23, 1999, until 2400 hrs,
A.l.t., September 23, 1999. Comments must be received at the following
address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., October 8, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Sue Salveson, Assistant Regional
Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS,
P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, Attn: Lori Gravel. Hand delivery
or courier delivery of comments may be sent to the Federal Building,
709 West 9th Street, Room 453, Juneau, AK 99801.
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.
NMFS issued a prohibition to directed fishing for pollock effective
September 20, 1999, for Statistical Area 610, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii) that was filed with the Office of the Federal
Register September 20, 1999.
As of September 21, 1999, 1,923 metric tons (mt) of pollock remain
in the D seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610
of the GOA. Section 679.23(b) specifies that the time of all openings
and closures of fishing seasons other than the beginning and end of the
calendar fishing year is 1200 hrs, A.l.t. Therefore, a fishery opening
must be a minimum of 24 hours. Current information shows the catching
capacity of vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore
component in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is in excess of 3,000 mt
per day. The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that
the D seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC could be exceeded if a 24-
hour fishery were allowed to occur. NMFS intends that the seasonal
allowance not be exceeded and will not allow a 24-hour directed
fishery. NMFS, in accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(1)(i), is adjusting
the D fishing season for pollock in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA by
closing the fishery at 2400 hrs, A.l.t., September 23, 1999, at which
time directed fishing for pollock will be prohibited. This action has
the effect of opening the fishery for 12 hours. NMFS is taking this
action to allow a controlled fishery to occur, thereby preventing the
overharvest of the D seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC designated
in accordance with the emergency interim rule establishing Steller sea
lion protection measures for pollock off Alaska (64 FR 3437, January
23, 1999). In accordance with Sec. 679.25(a)(2)(iii), NMFS has
determined that prohibiting directed fishing at 2400 hrs, A.l.t.,
September 23, 1999, after a 12 hour opening is the least restrictive
management adjustment to achieve the D seasonal allowance of the
pollock TAC and will allow other fisheries to continue in noncritical
areas and time periods. Pursuant to Sec. 679.25(b)(2), NMFS has
considered data regarding catch per unit of effort and rate of harvest
in making this adjustment.
Classification
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, finds for good
cause that providing prior notice and public comment or delaying the
effective date of this action is impracticable and contrary to the
public interest. Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow
the D seasonal allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 of
the GOA to be harvested in an expedient manner and in accordance with
the regulatory schedule. Under Sec. 679.25(c)(2), interested persons
are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above
address until October 8, 1999.
This action is required by Secs. 679.20 and 679.25 and is exempt
from review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: September 23, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25249 Filed 9-23-99; 5:03 pm]
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