96-15766. Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Yellowfin Sole by Vessels Using Trawl Gear  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 120 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Page 31463]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-15766]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    
    50 CFR Part 675
    
    [Docket No. 960129019-6019-01; I.D. 061496C]
    
    
    Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Yellowfin 
    Sole by Vessels Using Trawl 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 directed fishery for yellowfin sole by 
    vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
    management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
    the third seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to 
    the trawl yellowfin sole fishery in the BSAI.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 17, 1996, 
    until 12 noon, A.l.t., August 15, 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.
        The third seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut for the 
    BSAI trawl yellowfin sole fishery, which is defined at 
    Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(B)(1), was established by the Final 1996 Harvest 
    Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR 4311, February 5, 1996) as 100 
    metric tons.
        The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
    with Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(iii), that the third seasonal bycatch allowance 
    of Pacific halibut apportioned to the trawl yellowfin sole fishery in 
    the BSAI has been caught. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
    fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI.
        Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be 
    found in the regulations at Sec. 675.20(h).
    
    Classification
    
        This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.21 and is exempt from review 
    under E.O. 12866.
    
        Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    
        Dated: June 17, 1996.
    Richard H. Schaefer,
    Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
    Marine Fisheries Service.
    [FR Doc. 96-15766 Filed 6-17-96; 2:58 pm]
    BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
    
    

Document Information

Published:
06/20/1996
Department:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Closure.
Document Number:
96-15766
Dates:
12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 17, 1996, until 12 noon, A.l.t., August 15, 1996.
Pages:
31463-31463 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 960129019-6019-01, I.D. 061496C
PDF File:
96-15766.pdf
CFR: (1)
50 CFR 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(B)(1)