[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15072-15073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7013]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672
[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 031695B]
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Cod for Processing by
the Inshore Component in the Western 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 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 17, 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
[[Page 15073]] 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 inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area
was established by the final groundfish specifications (60 FR 8470,
February 14, 1995) as 18,090 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 inshore
component in the Western Regulatory Area soon will be reached. The
Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance of 13,090
mt, with consideration that 5,000 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.
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. 95-7013 Filed 3-17-95; 3:58 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
