[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 155 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19682]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 12, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 675
[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 080594A]
Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area
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 sablefish by
operators of vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in the Bering Sea
subarea (BS) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the share of the
sablefish total allowable catch (TAC) assigned to hook-and-line and pot
gear in the BS.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 8, 1994,
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce according to the
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the BSAI (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 675.
In accordance with Sec. 675.24(c)(1)(i), the share of the sablefish
TAC assigned to hook-and-line and pot gear in the BS was established by
the final groundfish specifications (59 FR 7656, February 16, 1994) as
229 metric tons. The Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS, has
determined, in accordance with Sec. 675.24(d)(1), that the share of the
sablefish TAC assigned to hook-and-line and pot gear in the BS subarea
will be taken before the end of the year. Therefore, to provide
adequate bycatch amounts of sablefish to ensure continued groundfish
fishing activity by hook-and-line and pot gear, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for sablefish by persons using hook-and-line and pot
gear in the BS effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., August 8, 1994, until 12
midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.
Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found
in the regulations at Sec. 675.20(h).
Classification
This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.24 and is exempt from OMB
review under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 8, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-19682 Filed 8-9-94; 9:18 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
