95-6942. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Page 15072]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-6942]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 672
    
    [Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 031595B]
    
    
    Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Vessels Using Hook-and-Line 
    Gear
    
    AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
    Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Closure.
    
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    SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish by vessels 
    using hook-and-line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for 
    demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) in the Southeast Outside district and 
    sablefish. This action is necessary because the first seasonal bycatch 
    allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to hook-and-line gear in the 
    GOA for the 1995 fishing year has been reached.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 16, 1995, 
    until 12 noon, A.l.t., May 18, 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(f)(1)(ii)(A), the 1995 Pacific 
    halibut bycatch allowance for hook-and-line gear for groundfish 
    fisheries in the GOA, other than DSR in the Southeast Outside district, 
    was established by the final groundfish specifications (60 FR 8470, 
    February 14, 1995), as 740 metric tons (mt). The first seasonal 
    allocation of that allowance is 200 mt. GOA hook-and-line gear 
    sablefish fisheries are exempted from halibut bycatch restrictions (60 
    FR 12149, March 6, 1995), as amended by a document published on March 
    21, 1995 in the Federal Register.
        The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
    with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(ii)(A), that the catch of Pacific halibut by 
    operators of vessels using hook-and-line gear in groundfish fisheries 
    other than the directed fishery for DSR in the Southeast Outside 
    District has reached the first seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific 
    halibut. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish 
    by vessels using hook-and-line gear in the GOA, except this prohibition 
    does not apply to vessels engaged in directed fishing for DSR in the 
    Southeast Outside district or to vessels engaged in directed fishing 
    for sablefish.
        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 16, 1995.
    David S. Crestin,
    Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
    National Marine Fisheries Service.
    [FR Doc. 95-6942 Filed 3-16-95; 4:18 pm]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    

Document Information

Published:
03/22/1995
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Closure.
Document Number:
95-6942
Dates:
12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 16, 1995, until 12 noon, A.l.t., May 18, 1995.
Pages:
15072-15072 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 950206041-5041-01, I.D. 031595B
PDF File:
95-6942.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 672