95-29177. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Cod for Processing by the Inshore Component in the Central Regulatory Area

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 29, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 61213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-29177]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 112495A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Cod for Processing by 
the Inshore Component in the Central Regulatory Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catches of Pacific cod by these vessels in the Central Regulatory 
Area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded 
at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the 
allocation of Pacific cod specified for the inshore component in this 
area has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 29, 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 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.
    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(B), the allocation of 
Pacific cod for the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area 
was established by the Final 1995 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish 
(60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995) as 41,085 metric tons (mt).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(c)(3), that the allocation of Pacific cod total 
allowable catch (TAC) specified for the inshore component in the 
Central Regulatory Area in the GOA, has been reached. Therefore, NMFS 
is requiring that further catches of Pacific cod by operators of 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in 
the Central Regulatory Area in the GOA, be treated as prohibited 
species in accordance with Sec. 672.20(e).

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: November 24, 1995.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-29177 Filed 11-24-95; 3:21 pm]
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