95-24177. Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Shortraker/Rougheye Rockfish Species Group in the Central Regulatory Area

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 189 (Friday, September 29, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50503-50504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24177]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 092195A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Shortraker/Rougheye Rockfish 
Species Group in the Central Regulatory Area

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 the shortraker/ rougheye 
rockfish species group in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that catches of the shortraker/rougheye 
rockfish species group 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 total allowable catch (TAC) specified 
for the shortraker/rougheye rockfish species group in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 1, 1995, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1995.

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


[[Page 50504]]

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 50 CFR parts 620 and 
672.
    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii), the TAC for the 
shortraker/rougheye rockfish species group in the Central Regulatory 
Area of the GOA was established by the Final 1995 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995), as 1,210 
metric tons.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(c)(3), that the TAC for the shortraker/rougheye 
rockfish species group in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has 
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of the 
shortraker/rougheye rockfish species group in the Central 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: September 25, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-24177 Filed 9-25-95; 4:38 pm]
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