96-13843. Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Aggregate Species in the Rock Sole/Flathead Sole/``Other Flatfish'' Fishery Category by Vessels Using Trawl Gear

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28071-28072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13843]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 960129019-6019-01; I.D. 052896H]


Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; 
Aggregate Species in the Rock Sole/Flathead Sole/``Other Flatfish'' 
Fishery Category 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 aggregate species in the 
rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to fully utilize the second seasonal 
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the trawl rock 
sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category in the BSAI.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), June 3, 1996, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 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.
    In accordance with Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(iii), the Director, Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Director), determined that the second seasonal 
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the trawl rock 
sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery in the BSAI had been 
caught. Therefore, NMFS prohibited directed fishing for species in the 
rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels 
using trawl gear in the BSAI effective April 13, 1996 (61 FR 16883, 
April 18, 1996) to prevent exceeding the second seasonal bycatch 
allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to that fishery.
    The Regional Director has determined that as of May 11, 1996, 50 
metric tons of halibut mortality remain in the second seasonal bycatch 
allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is 
opening directed fishing for species in the rock

[[Page 28072]]

sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category 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: May 29, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-13843 Filed 5-30-96; 11:39 am]
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