96-2118. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 63 of the Central Regulatory Area

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 22 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3602-3603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2118]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 951120272-5272-02; I.D. 012696D]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 63 
of the Central Regulatory Area

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is terminating the closure to directed fishing for 
pollock in Statistical Area 63 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 
is necessary to fully utilize the interim total allowable catch (TAC) 
of pollock in that area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 29, 1996, 
until superseded by the final 1996 specifications.

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 

[[Page 3603]]
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.
    The interim specification of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 63 was 
established by the Interim 1996 Harvest Specifications (60 FR 61492, 
November 30, 1996) as 3,250 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(A). The directed fishery for pollock in 
Statistical Area 63 of the GOA was closed under Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii) 
on January 23, 1996 (61 FR 2457, January 26, 1996).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 
remaining interim specification of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 63 
has not been reached. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous 
closure to directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 63 of the 
GOA. All other closures remain in full force and effect.

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: January 29, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-2118 Filed 1-29-96; 2:10 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F