[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 203 (Friday, October 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26082]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 21, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675
[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 101494A]
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area
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 Pacific cod by
vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent
exceeding the 1994 apportionment of the Pacific cod total allowable
catch (TAC) allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear in the
BSAI.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 17, 1994,
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management
Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
(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 675.
In accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(7)(ii), the Pacific cod TAC for
the BSAI was established by the final 1994 initial specifications of
groundfish (59 FR 7656, February 16, 1994) and increased by an
apportionment from the reserve (59 FR 21673, April 26, 1994) to 191,000
metric tons (mt). The 1994 Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels using
hook-and-line or pot gear is 92,040 mt pursuant to
Sec. 675.20(a)(3)(iv); 59 FR 4009, January 28, 1994; 59 FR 21673, April
26, 1994; and 59 FR 42776, August 19, 1994.
The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has
determined, in accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(8), that the 1994 Pacific
cod TAC allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear in the
BSAI soon will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Director has
established a directed fishing allowance of 91,540 mt, with
consideration that 500 mt will be taken as incidental catch in directed
fishing for other species in the BSAI. The Regional Director has
determined that the directed fishing allowance has been reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI, effective from 12
noon, A.l.t., October 17, 1994, until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31,
1994.
Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found
in the regulations at Sec. 675.20(h).
Classification
This action is taken under Sec. 675.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 17, 1994.
Joe P. Clem,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-26082 Filed 10-17-94; 3:41 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
