96-18305. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Central Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 140 (Friday, July 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 37700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18305]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 071596A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the 
Central Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific ocean perch in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catches of Pacific ocean perch 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 Pacific ocean perch total 
allowable catch (TAC) in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has 
been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 15, 1996, 
until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for Groundfish of the GOA (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 subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 
CFR part 679.
    The TAC for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA was established by the Final 1996 Harvest Specifications of 
Groundfish (61 FR 4304, February 5, 1996), as 3,333 metric tons. (See 
Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii).)
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the TAC for 
Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been 
reached. (See Sec. 679.20(d)(2).) Therefore, NMFS is requiring that 
further catches of Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area 
of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with 
Sec. 679.21(b).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: July 15, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-18305 Filed 7-15-96; 4:54 pm]
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