[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 96 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24729-24730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12338]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672
[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 051096D]
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Shallow-Water Species Fishery
by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in 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 shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for vessels fishing for pollock using
pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed
fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the second
seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 13, 1996,
until 12 noon, A.l.t., July 1, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919.
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)(i) the shallow-water species
fishery, which is defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(i)(B)(1) was apportioned
100 mt of Pacific halibut prohibited species catch for the second
season, the period April 1, 1996, through June 30, 1996 (61 FR 4304,
February 5, 1996).
The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance
with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(i), that vessels participating in the trawl
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA have caught the first 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 shallow-water species fishery by
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except for vessels fishing for
pollock using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to
directed fishing for pollock. The species and species groups that
comprise the shallow-water species fishery are: pollock, Pacific cod,
shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other
species.''
After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable
bycatch amounts, calculated using the retainable percentages at
Sec. 672.20(g), apply at any time during a trip.
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: May 13, 1996.
Donald J. Leedy,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12338 Filed 5-13-96; 3:38 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
