Proposed Rules. Closure
529 words·~2 min read·
/register/2000/02/03/00-2323A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 000119015-0015-01; I.D. 012700E] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 outside the Shelikof Strait conservation area in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the interim 2000 pollock total allowable catch
(TAC)for Statistical Area 620 outside the Shelikof Strait conservation area established by the 2000 Interim Specifications and amended by the emergency interim rule implementing Steller sea lion protection measures for the pollock fisheries off Alaska. DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 28, 2000, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., March 15, 2000. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 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 interim 2000 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 outside the Shelikof Strait conservation area as amended by the emergency interim rule implementing Steller sea lion protection measures for the pollock fisheries off Alaska (65 FR 3892, January 25, 2000) is 3,252 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with § 679.20(c)(2)(i). In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the interim TAC of pollock in Statistical Area 620 outside the Shelikof Strait conservation area will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,752 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 500 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 outside the Shelikof Strait conservation area in the GOA. Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations at § 679.20(e) and (f). Classification This action responds to the best available information recently obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately to prevent overharvesting the seasonal allocation of pollock in Statistical Area 620 outside the Shelikof Strait conservation area. Providing prior notice and an opportunity for public comment is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Further delay would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the implementation of this action should 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 § 679.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq* . Dated: January 28, 2000. Bruce C. Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 00-2323 Filed 1-28-00; 5:02 pm]
Connectionstraces to 2
Traces to 2 documents
2 references not yet in our index
- 50 CFR 679
- 50 CFR 600
Citation graph
cites case law
Cites 4Cited by 0 across 0 sources