95-25847. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 18, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25847]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 101395A]


Groundfish of 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 northern rockfish in 
the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the northern rockfish total allowable 
catch (TAC) in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 13, 1995, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919.

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.
    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(B), the northern rockfish 
TAC for the Central Regulatory Area was established by the final 1995 
specifications of groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995) as 4,610 
metric tons (mt).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), established 
in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii) a directed fishing allowance 
for northern rockfish of 4,360 mt, with consideration that 250 mt will 
be taken as incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in 
this area. The Regional Director has determined that this directed 
fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area.
    After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable 
bycatch amounts at Sec. 672.20(g), apply at any time during a trip.

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: October 13, 1995.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25847 Filed 10-13-95; 2:58 pm]
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