[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 140 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 37600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18010]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672
[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 071795A]
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the
Central Regulatory Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for northern rockfish in
the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the northern rockfish total allowable
catch (TAC) in the Central Regulatory Area.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 18,
1995, until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Sloan, 907-581-2062.
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(c)(1)(ii)(B), the northern rockfish
TAC for the Central Regulatory Area was established by the Final 1995
Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995) as
4,610 metric tons (mt).
The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the northern
rockfish TAC in the Central Regulatory Area soon will be reached.
Therefore, the Regional Director has established a directed fishing
allowance of 4,210 mt, with consideration that 400 mt will be taken as
incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in the Central
Regulatory Area. The Regional Director has determined that the directed
fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area.
Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found
in the regulations at Sec. 672.20(g).
Classification
This action is taken under Sec. 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. 95-18010 Filed 7-18-95; 3:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
