[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 96 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12257]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 19, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 675
[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 051694B]
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area
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 or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent
exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific cod total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or pot
gear in the BSAI.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 16, 1994,
until 12 noon, A.l.t., September 1, 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 BSAI exclusive
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce according to the
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the BSAI (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 Pacific cod TAC for
the BSAI was established by the final 1994 initial specifications of
groundfish (59 FR 7656, February 16, 1994) and increased by an
apportionment from the reserve (59 FR 21673, April 26, 1994) to 191,000
metric tons (mt). The second seasonal apportionment of the amount of
the 1994 Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or
pot gear is 8,404 mt pursuant to Sec. 675.20(a)(3)(iv) and
Sec. 675.20(a)(2)(v). This action is consistent with amendment 24,
which apportions Pacific cod TAC among gear types and seasons (59 FR
4009, January 28, 1994).
The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has
determined, in accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(8), that the second
seasonal apportionment of the Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels
using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI soon will be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Director has established a directed fishing
allowance of 8,000 mt, with consideration that 404 mt will be taken as
incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in the BSAI. The
Regional Director has determined that the directed fishing allowance
has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing
for Pacific cod by vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI,
effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., May 16, 1994, until 12 noon, A.l.t.,
September 1, 1994.
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 OMB
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: May 16, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-12257 Filed 5-16-94; 4:43 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
