[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 112 (Monday, June 12, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30792-30793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14335]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675
[Docket No. 950206040-5040-01; I.D. 060595B]
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Atka
Mackerel in the Western Aleutian District
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of Atka mackerel in the Western
Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area (BSAI). NMFS is requiring that catches of Atka mackerel in this
area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded
at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the
Atka mackerel total allowable catch (TAC) in the Western Aleutian
District has been reached.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 7, 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
(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. [[Page 30793]]
In accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(7)(ii), the TAC for Atka mackerel
in the Western Aleutian District was established by the final 1995
harvest specifications of groundfish (60 FR 8478, February 14, 1995),
as 16,500 metric tons, as amended (60 FR 27488, May 24, 1995).
The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance
with Sec. 675.20(a)(9), that the TAC for Atka mackerel in the Western
Aleutian District has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that
further catches of Atka mackerel in the Western Aleutian District be
treated as prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 675.20(c)(3), and
is prohibiting their retention.
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: June 6, 1995.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-14335 Filed 6-7-95; 3:06 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
