95-12212. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 96 (Thursday, May 18, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 26694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12212]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 95020641-5041-01; I.D. 050495A]


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 closing the entire Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to directed 
fishing with hook-and-line gear for all species that compose the 
``other hook-and-line gear fishery''. This action is necessary because 
the bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the ``other 
hook-and-line gear fishery'' in the GOA for the 1995 fishing year has 
been caught.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 18, 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 
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 apportioned to the ``other hook-and-line gear 
fishery,'' which is defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(ii)(B)(3), is 290 
metric tons (60 FR 12149, March 6, 1995).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(ii) that U.S. fishing vessels participating in 
the ``other hook-and-line gear fishery'' have caught the entire Pacific 
halibut bycatch allowance for 1995. Therefore, NMFS is closing the 
entire GOA to directed fishing with hook-and-line gear for each species 
and/or species group composing the ``other hook-and-line gear 
fishery''.
    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 OMB 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: May 12, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12212 Filed 5-17-95; 8:45 am]
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