96-22512. Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22512]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 082796B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska

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 pollock in 
Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the 1996 pollock total allowable catch 
(TAC) in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 3, 
1996, until 2400 hrs, December 31, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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 GOA (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.
    The 1996 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 was established by the 
Final 1996 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR 4304, February 
5, 1996) as 13,680 metric tons (mt). (See Sec. 679.20(c)(3).)
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1), that the 1996 pollock 
TAC in Statistical Area 630 has been reached. The Regional Director 
established a directed fishing allowance of 12,080 mt, and has set 
aside the remaining 1,600 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated 
groundfish fisheries. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be 
found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(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: August 29, 1996.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-22512 Filed 8-29-96; 4:30 pm]
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