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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

CFR Citation: 50 CFR Part 679

Docket ID: [Docket No. 000211039-0039-01; I.D. 082200A]

NOTICE: RULES

ACTION: Fishery conservation and management:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Closure.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Deep-Water Species Fishery by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 23, 2000, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., October 1, 2000.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the deepwater species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the third seasonal apportionment of the 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the deepwater species fishery in the GOA has been caught.

SUMMARY: Alaska; fisheries of Exclusive Economic Zone—; Deep-water species,

SUPPLEMENTAL 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 deepwater 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 third season, the period July 4, 2000, through September 30, 2000, as 400 metric tons.

In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the third seasonal apportionment of the 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deepwater species fishery in the GOA has been caught. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for the deepwater species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups that comprise the deepwater species fishery are: all rockfish of the genera Sebastes and Sebastolobus, deepwater 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 exceeding the third seasonal apportionment of the 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl deepwater species fishery in the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. 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 Executive Order 12866.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

Dated: August 22, 2000.
Bruce C. Morehead
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 0021789 Filed 82200; 3:50 pm] Billing Code: 351022S

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.