95-18011. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the Western Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 140 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37600-37601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18011]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950209041-5041-01; I.D. 071795E]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the 
Western 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 closing the directed fishery for northern rockfish in 
the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the total allowable catch for northern 
rockfish in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 20, 1995, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 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.

[[Page 37601]]

    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(B), the northern rockfish 
total allowable catch (TAC) for the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA 
was established by the Final 1995 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish 
(60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995) as 640 metric tons (mt).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the 1995 TAC 
of northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area soon will be 
reached. Therefore, the Regional Director has established a directed 
fishing allowance of 576 mt after determining that 64 mt will be taken 
as incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Western Regulatory Area 
in the GOA.
    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. 95-18011 Filed 7-18-95; 3:33 pm]
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