95-18567. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in the Eastern Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 145 (Friday, July 28, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18567]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 072195A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in the Eastern 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 pollock in the Eastern 
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that 
catches of pollock 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 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) in 
the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 24, 1995, 
until 12 midnight A.l.t, December 31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas W. Pearson, 907-486-6919.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Groundfish Fishery 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 50 CFR parts 620 and 
672.
    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii), the TAC for pollock in 
the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA was established by the final 
1995 harvest specifications of groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 14, 
1995), as 3,360 metric tons.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(c)(3), that the TAC for pollock in the Eastern 
Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
requiring that further catches of pollock in the Eastern Regulatory 
Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with 
Sec. 672.20(e).

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 24, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18567 Filed 7-25-95; 2:15 pm]
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