[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 149 (Thursday, August 3, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39663-39664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-19036]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 301
[Docket No. 950106003-5070-02; I.D. 072895A]
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Area 2A Non-Treaty Commercial Fishery
Reopening; Oregon Sport Fishery Reopening
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason actions.
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, on behalf of
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes inseason
actions pursuant to IPHC regulations approved by the U.S. Government to
govern the Pacific halibut fishery. These actions are intended to
enhance the conservation of the Pacific halibut stock
[[Page 39664]]
in order to help sustain it at an adequate level in the northern
Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Area 2A: 8:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m., local time,
August 1, 1995; Oregon sport fishery: 8:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.,
local time, August 3, 1995 and August 4, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Pennoyer, 907-586-7221; William
W. Stelle, Jr., 206-526-6140; or Donald McCaughran, 206-634-1838.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IPHC, under the Convention between the
United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut
Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (signed at Ottawa,
Ontario, on March 2, 1953), as amended by a Protocol Amending the
Convention (signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979), has issued
these inseason actions pursuant to IPHC regulations governing the
Pacific halibut fishery. The regulations have been approved by NMFS (60
FR 14651, March 20, 1995). On behalf of the IPHC, these inseason
actions are published in the Federal Register to provide additional
notice of their effectiveness, and to inform persons subject to the
inseason actions of the restrictions and requirements established
therein.
Inseason Actions
1995 Halibut Landing Report Number 11
Area 2A Non-treaty Commercial Fishery to Reopen
The July 18 fishing period in Area 2A resulted in a catch of 35,000
lb (15.87 metric tons (mt)), leaving approximately 50,000 lb (22.67 mt)
yet to be caught from the catch limit.
Area 2A will reopen on August 1 for 10 hours from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m. local time. The fishery is restricted to waters that are south of
Point Chehalis, WA (46 deg.53'18'' N. lat.) under regulations
promulgated by NMFS. Fishing period limits as indicated in the
following table will be in effect for this opening.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vessel class Fishing period limit
-------------------------------------------------- (lb)
----------------------
Dressed,
Length Letter Dressed, head-off
head-on \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-25...................... A 225 200
26-30..................... B 240 210
31-35..................... C 380 335
36-40..................... D 1,050 925
41-45..................... E 1,130 995
46-50..................... F 1,350 1,190
51-55..................... G 1,510 1,330
56+....................... H 2,275 2,000
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\1\ Weights are after 2 percent has been deducted for ice and slime if
fish are not washed prior to weighing.
The appropriate vessel length class and letter is printed on each
halibut license.
The fishing period limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-off
weight as well as dressed, head-on weight, although fishermen are
reminded that regulations require that all halibut from Area 2A be
landed with the head on.
The fishing period limit applies to the vessel, not the individual
fisherman, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to
forfeiture and fine.
Oregon Sport Fishery Reopens for Two Days
The Oregon sport fishery from Cape Falcon to the California border
will open for 2 days, Thursday, August 3 and Friday, August 4, 1995,
rather than for 3 days as indicated in the halibut regulations.
Approximately 15,500 lb (7.03 mt) remain for harvest, not enough to
assure that harvest from 3 days of fishing will remain under the catch
limit. The daily bag limit will be two fish per person, one with a 32-
inch (12.59 centimeters (cm)) minimum size limit, and one with a 50-
inch (19.68 cm) minimum size limit. If sufficient catch limit remains
after August 4, an additional opening may be announced by the IPHC.
Dated: July 28, 1995.
Donald J. Leedy,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-19036 Filed 7-28-95; 4:41 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-W
