96-12445. Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 97 (Friday, May 17, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 24905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12445]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 960129019-6019-01; I.D. 051396D]


Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pacific 
Cod by Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands

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 Pacific cod by 
vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary because the second 
seasonal Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance apportioned to the 
Pacific cod hook-and-line fishery in the BSAI has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 15, 1996, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Area (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 675.
    The second seasonal Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance for 
the hook-and-line Pacific cod fishery, which is defined at 
Sec. 675.21(b)(2)(ii)(A), is 40 metric tons (61 FR 4311, February 5, 
1996).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 675.21(d), that the second seasonal Pacific halibut bycatch 
mortality allowance for the Pacific cod hook-and-line fishery in the 
BSAI has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing 
for Pacific cod by vessels using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be 
found in the regulations at Sec. 675.20(h).

Classification

    This action is taken under Sec. 675.20 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. 96-12445 Filed 5-14-96; 3:07 pm]
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