[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 52 (Thursday, March 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6262]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: March 17, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672
[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 031494A]
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 Central 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 16, 1994,
through 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, Resource Management
Specialist, 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 Central Regulatory Area, GOA, was
established by the final 1994 groundfish specifications (59 FR 7647,
February 16, 1994), as 28,125 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 total allowable catch for the inshore
component in the Central Regulatory Area, GOA, soon will be reached.
The Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance of
23,625 mt, with consideration that 4,500 mt will be taken as incidental
catch in directed fishing for other species in the Central 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 Central Regulatory Area,
effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., March 16, 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 14, 1994.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director of Office of Fisheries, Conservation and Management, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-6262 Filed 3-14-94; 2:54 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
