[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 52 (Friday, March 17, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 14390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6549]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672
[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 031095E]
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Cod 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 closing the directed fishery for Pacific cod by
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore 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
offshore component in this area.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 13, 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 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.
In accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(B), the allocation of
Pacific cod for the offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area
was established by the final groundfish specifications (60 FR 8470,
February 14, 1995), as 4,565 metric tons (mt).
The Director, 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 offshore
component in the Central Regulatory Area soon will be reached. The
Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance of 3,565 mt,
with consideration that 1,000 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 offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area.
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 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 13, 1995.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-6549 Filed 3-13-95; 4:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
