[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2097]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672
[Docket No. 941249-4349; I.D. 012095B]
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Inseason Action
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 pollock in
Statistical Area 63 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the interim 1995 initial specification
for pollock in this area.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 24, 1995,
until 12 noon A.l.t, April 1, 1995 unless superseded by the final 1995
specifications in the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael L. Sloan, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive
economic zone is managed by NMFS 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
Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Fishing by U.S. vessels is
governed by regulations implementing the FMP at 50 CFR parts 620 and
672.
The interim specification of pollock total allowable catch in
Statistical Area 63 was established by interim specifications (59 FR
65975, December 22, 1994) as 4,078 metric tons (mt), determined in
accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(A).
The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the 1995
interim specification of pollock in Statistical Area 63 soon will be
reached. The Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance
of 3,000 mt, and has set aside the remaining 1,078 mt as bycatch to
support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. Because of the low
directed fishing allowance and high interest in the fishery, there will
be insufficient time to collect and analyze catch data and take
appropriate action to ensure the directed fishing allowance is not
exceeded. Therefore, based on the best available data, the Regional
Director has determined that the pollock directed fishing allowance in
Statistical Area 63 will be reached by 12 noon A.l.t., January 24,
1995. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 63.
Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found
in the regulations at Sec. 672.20(g).
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 672.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 23, 1995.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-2097 Filed 1-24-95; 4:31 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
