[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 193 (Thursday, October 5, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24707]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675
[Docket No. 950206040-5040-01; I.D. 092895A]
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pacific
Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Allocation.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear
to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear and trawl gear in the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is
necessary to promote the goals and objectives of the North Pacific
Fishery Management Council.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 4, 1995,
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1995.
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
Area (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 total
allowable catch (TAC) for the BSAI was established by the final 1995
harvest specifications of groundfish (60 FR 8479, February 14, 1995)
and increased by an apportionment from the reserve (60 FR 32278, June
21, 1995) to 250,000 metric tons (mt). Pursuant to Sec. 675.20
(a)(2)(iv)(A) and (a)(3)(iv), 5000 mt was allocated to vessels using
jig gear.
The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that vessels
using jig gear will not harvest 4,000 mt of Pacific cod by the end of
the year. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(2)(iv)(C), NMFS
is reallocating 45 percent and 55 percent of the unused amount of
Pacific cod allocated to vessels using jig gear to vessels using hook-
and-line or pot gear and to vessels using trawl gear, respectively. The
apportionment of the unused BSAI Pacific cod jig allocation is as
follows: To vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear - 1,800 mt, and to
vessels using trawl gear - 2,200 mt. Pursuant to Sec. 675.20
(a)(3)(iv), the 1995 Pacific cod TAC is allocated as follows: (1) To
vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear - 111,800 mt, (2) to vessels
using trawl gear - 137,200 mt, and (3) to vessels using jig gear -
1,000 mt.
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: September 29, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-24707 Filed 10-4-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
