[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 140 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37599-37600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17920]
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[[Page 37600]]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 672
[Docket No. 950209041-5041-01; I.D. 071795B]
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Trawl Fishery for Shallow-water
Species
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise
the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the third
seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 17, 1995,
until 12 noon, A.l.t., October 1, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 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 Gulf of Alaska (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
672.
In accordance with Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(i), the shallow-water species
fishery, which is defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(i)(B)(1), was
apportioned 200 metric tons of Pacific halibut prohibited species catch
(PSC) for the third season, the period July 1, 1995, through September
30, 1995 (60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995).
The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance
with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(i), that vessels participating in the trawl
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA have caught the third seasonal
allowance of Pacific halibut PSC apportioned to that fishery.
Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for each species and
species group that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except directed fishing for
pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the
GOA that remain open to directed fishing for pollock. The species and
species groups that comprise the shallow-water species fishery are
pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka
mackerel, and ``other species.''
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 672.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 17, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-17920 Filed 7-17-95; 4:31 pm]
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