Browse: Departments   Dates   Agencies  

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

CFR Citation: 50 CFR Part 679

Docket ID: [Docket No. 000211039-0039-01; I.D. 083000H]

NOTICE: RULES

ACTION: Fishery conservation and management:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Closure.

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Fisheries by Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Gulf of Alaska

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1 , 2000, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2000.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using hookandline gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish. This action is necessary because the 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for hookandline gear targeting groundfish other than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish in the GOA has been caught.

SUMMARY: Gulf of Alaska groundfish,

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 Final 2000 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (65 FR 8298, February 18, 2000) established a 290 metric ton Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance for groundfish included in the other hookandline fishery, which is defined at Sec.
679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C). The other hookandline fishery includes all groundfish, except sablefish and demersal shelf rockfish.

In accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(ii), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the hookandline groundfish fisheries other than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish in the GOA has been caught. Consequently, NMFS is [[Page 54180]]
closing directed fishing for groundfish other than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish by vessels using hookandline gear in the GOA.

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 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the groundfish fisheries other than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish by vessels using hookandline gear in the GOA. A delay in the effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The 2000 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for hookandline gear targeting groundfish other than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish in the GOA has been caught. 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. 679.21 and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

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

Dated: September 1, 2000.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 0022963 Filed 9100; 4:34 pm] BILLING CODE 351022S

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