[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 81 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10161]
[Federal Register: April 28, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 672
[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 042194D]
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 prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the deep-water
species fishery in the GOA has been caught.
EFFECTIVE DATES: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 22, 1994,
until 12 noon, A.l.t., June 30, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, Senior Inseason
Manager, 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 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.
An emergency interim rule (59 FR 6222, February 10, 1994)
apportioned the Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit
for trawl gear into bycatch allowances and seasonal apportionments
thereof among fishery categories. In accordance with
Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(iii), the deep-water species fishery, which is
defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(ii)(B), was apportioned 300 mt of Pacific
halibut PSC for the second season, the period March 31, 1994, through
June 30, 1994.
The Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in
accordance with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(iv), that vessels participating in
the trawl deep-water species fishery in the GOA have caught the second
seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to that
fishery. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for each
species and species group that comprise the deep-water species fishery
by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups
that comprise the deep-water species fishery are: All rockfish of the
genera Sebastes and Sebastolobus, Greenland turbot, Dover sole, Rex
sole, arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish. This closure is effective
from 12 noon, A.l.t., April 22, 1994, until 12 noon, A.l.t., June 30,
1994.
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: April 22, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-10161 Filed 4-22-94; 2:59 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
