95-20937. Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pollock by Vessels Using Non-pelagic Trawl Gear

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 164 (Thursday, August 24, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43984-43985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20937]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 950206040-5040-01; I.D. 081595C]


Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pollock 
by Vessels Using Non-pelagic Trawl Gear

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for pollock by trawl 
vessels using non-pelagic trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the BSAI bycatch allowance of halibut specified for the trawl 
pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery category.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 22, 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 BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Area (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.
    The 1995 bycatch allowance of halibut specified for the trawl 
pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery category, which is 
defined at Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(F), was established as 555 metric 
tons by the final 1995 harvest specifications of groundfish (60 FR 
8479, February 14, 1995).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(iii), that the bycatch allowance of halibut 
specified for the trawl pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery 
category has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is closing the directed 
fishery for pollock by trawl vessels using non-pelagic trawl gear in 
the BSAI.
    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 675.20 and is exempt from OMB 
review under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.


[[Page 43985]]

    Dated: August 17, 1995.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20937 Filed 8-21-95; 11:38 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F