[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 41 (Thursday, March 1, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 12912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5001]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 010112013-1013-01; I.D. 022601B]


Fisheries of the Economic Exclusive Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish 
Fisheries by Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in 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 directed fishing for groundfish by vessels 
using hook-and-line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for 
sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish. This action is necessary because 
the first seasonal bycatch mortality allowance of Pacific halibut 
apportioned to hook-and-line gear targeting groundfish other than 
sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish in the GOA has been caught.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 26, 
2000, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., May 17, 2001.

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.
    The Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance for groundfish 
included in the other hook-and-line fishery, which is defined at Sec.  
679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C), was established by the Final 2001 Harvest 
Specifications and Associated Management Measures for the Groundfish 
Fisheries Off Alaska (66 FR 7276, January 22, 2001) for the first 
season, the period January 1, 2001, through May 17, 2001, as 175 metric 
tons. The other hook-and-line fishery includes all groundfish except 
sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish.
    In accordance with Sec.  679.21(d)(7)(ii), the Administrator, 
Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 
first seasonal apportionment of the 2001 Pacific halibut bycatch 
mortality allowance specified for the hook-and-line groundfish 
fisheries other than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish in the GOA 
has been caught. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for 
groundfish other than sablefish or demersal shelf rockfish by vessels 
using hook-and-line 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. The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, 
NOAA, finds that the need to immediately implement this action because 
the first seasonal bycatch mortality allowance of Pacific halibut 
apportioned to hook-and-line gear in the GOA has been caught 
constitutes good cause to waive the requirement to provide prior notice 
and opportunity for public comment pursuant to the authority set forth 
at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and 50 CFR 679.20(b)(3)(iii)(A), as such 
procedures would be unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. 
Similarly the need to implement these measures in a timely fashion 
because the first seasonal bycatch mortality allowance of Pacific 
halibut apportioned to hook-and-line gear in the GOA has been caught 
constitutes good cause to find that the effective date 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: February 26, 2001.
Dean Swanson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-5001 Filed 2-26-01; 4:40 pm]
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