[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5537]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 10, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 672
[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 030794A]
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for Pacific cod by
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in
the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the allocation of Pacific cod for the
inshore component in this area.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 8, 1994,
through 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, Fishery Biologist,
Fisheries Management Division, NMFS, (907) 586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce 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), the allocation of Pacific
cod for the inshore component in the Western Regulatory area of the GOA
was established by the final 1994 groundfish specifications (59 FR
7647, February 16, 1994), as 14,967 metric tons (mt).
The Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the
allocation of Pacific cod TAC for the inshore component in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA soon will be reached. The Regional Director
established a directed fishing allowance of 14,467 mt, with
consideration that 500 mt will be taken as incidental catch in directed
fishing for other species in the Western Regulatory Area. The Regional
Director has determined that the directed fishing allowance has been
reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific
cod by operators of vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the
inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area, effective from 12
noon, A.l.t., March 8, 1994, through 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31,
1994.
Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found
in the regulations at Sec. 672.20(g).
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 672.20.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 672
Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 7, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-5537 Filed 3-7-94; 12:25 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
