96-15257. Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Trawl Gear

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 117 (Monday, June 17, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 30544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-15257]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 960129019-6019-01; I.D. 061096A]


Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pacific 
Cod by Vessels Using Trawl Gear

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for the Pacific cod fishery 
by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to fully utilize the 
first seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the 
trawl Pacific cod fishery category in the BSAI.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 14, 1996, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., October 25, 1996.

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.
    Directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using trawl gear in the 
BSAI was prohibited on May 14, 1996, (61 FR 24730, May 16, 1996) to 
prevent exceeding the first seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific 
halibut apportioned to that fishery.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that as of May 
25, 1996, 89 metric tons of halibut mortality remain in the first 
seasonal bycatch allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous 
closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels 
using trawl gear in the BSAI.
    All other closures remain in full force and effect.

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 11, 1996.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-15257 Filed 6-12-96; 10:44 am]
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