[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 20 (Monday, January 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2026]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 31, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-3299; I.D. 012594B]

 

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is rescinding the closure to directed fishing for the 
``other rockfish'' species category in the Central Regulatory Area in 
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully utilize the 
interim total allowable catch (TAC) for the ``other rockfish'' species 
category in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 27, 1994, 
through December 31, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, Resource Management 
Specialist, NMFS, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce 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 50 CFR parts 
620 and 672.
    The directed fishery for the ``other rockfish'' species category in 
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA was prohibited in the proposed 
1994 initial specifications of groundfish under Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii) 
(58 FR 60575, November 17, 1993) effective January 1, 1994.
    The Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 
276 metric tons in the interim TAC for the ``other rockfish'' species 
category in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will not be taken as 
bycatch in other directed groundfish fisheries and is sufficient to 
support a directed fishery. Therefore, NMFS is rescinding the closure 
and is opening directed fishing for the ``other rockfish'' species 
category in the Central Regulatory Area effective 12 noon, A.l.t., 
January 27, 1994.
    All other closures remain in full force and effect, including the 
prohibition to directed fishing for rockfish of the genera Sebastes and 
Sebastolobus with trawl gear until the first day of the third quarterly 
reporting period (Sec. 672.23(d)).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 672.20.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 672

    Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

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

    Dated: January 25, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-2026 Filed 1-26-94; 10:19 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P