[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 149 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 40158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19543]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 072596B]
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the
Eastern Regulatory Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Modification of a closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is opening the directed fishery for Pacific ocean perch
in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to fully utilize the total allowable catch (TAC) of
Pacific ocean perch in that area.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 31, 1996,
until 12 noon, A.l.t., December 31, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew 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 Subpart H of 50 CFR
part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20 (c)(3)(ii), the annual TAC for
Pacific ocean perch in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA, was
established by the Final 1996 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (61
FR 4304, February 5, 1996) as 2,366 metric tons (mt). The directed
fishery for Pacific ocean perch in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the
GOA closed to directed fishing under Sec. 679.20 (d)(1)(iii) in order
to reserve amounts anticipated to be needed for incidental catch in
other fisheries (61 FR 37225; July 17, 1996). NMFS has determined that
as of July 13, 1996, 800 mt remain in the directed fishing allowance.
The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1996
directed fishing allowance of Pacific ocean perch in the Eastern
Regulatory Area of the GOA has not been reached. Therefore, NMFS is
terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for
Pacific ocean perch in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA.
All other closures remain in full force and effect.
Classification
This action is taken under Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: July 26, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-19543 Filed 7-31-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
