95-12277. Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Greenland Turbot in the Bering Sea Subarea

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 96 (Thursday, May 18, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 26695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12277]



[[Page 26695]]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 950206040-5040-01; I.D. 051595B]


Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Greenland 
Turbot in the Bering Sea Subarea

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 Greenland turbot in 
the Bering Sea subarea (BS) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the Greenland turbot total allowable catch (TAC) in that subarea.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 15, 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 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.
    In accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(7)(ii), the Greenland turbot TAC 
for the BS was established by the notification of 1995 final 
specifications (60 FR 8479, February 14, 1995) as 3,969 metric tons 
(mt).
    In accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(8), the Director of the Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has established a directed fishing 
allowance of 2,669 mt, with consideration that 1,300 mt will be taken 
as incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in the BS. 
The Regional Director has determined that the directed fishing 
allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing for Greenland turbot in the BS.
    Directed fishing standards 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 15, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12277 Filed 5-15-95; 2:15 pm]
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