[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 193 (Thursday, October 5, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52128-52129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24784]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672
[Docket No. 950509041-5041-01; I.D. 100295A]
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 62
of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is changing the date on which directed fishing for
pollock is prohibited in Statistical Area 62 of the Gulf of Alaska
(GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the fourth
quarterly allowance of total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in this
area.
[[Page 52129]]
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 2, 1995,
until 12 midnight, A.l.t, December 31, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 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 GOA (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 1995 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 62 was established by the
final 1995 harvest specifications of groundfish (60 FR 8470, February
14, 1995) as 15,310 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with
Sec. 672.20(a)(2)(iv). As of September 16, 1995, the remaining pollock
TAC for Statistical Area 62 is 3,079 mt.
NMFS announced a prohibition of directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 62 effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.),
October 4, 1995, until 12 midnight, A.l.t, December 31, 1995 (60 FR
50503, September 29, 1995). Current information shows the catching
capacity of vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore
component is capable of exceeding the remaining TAC in Statistical Area
62 by more than 2,000 mt.
The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance
with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the 1995 fourth quarterly allowance of
pollock TAC in Statistical Area 62 will be taken by 12 noon, Alaska
local time (A.l.t.), October 2, 1995. Therefore, the Regional Director
is terminating the previous closure at 60 FR 50503. The Regional
Director has established a directed fishing allowance of 2,679 mt after
determining that 400 mt will be taken as incidental catch in directed
fishing for other species in Statistical Area 62 of the GOA.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 62 effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.),
October 2, 1995.
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 Sec. 672.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 2, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-24784 Filed 10-2-95; 1:06 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
