[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4838]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 022594A]

 

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for pollock by vessels 
catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in the Bering 
Sea subarea (BS) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the first 
allowance of the pollock total allowable catch (TAC) for the inshore 
component in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 2, 1994, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., August 15, 1994.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce according to the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the BSAI 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.
    In accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(7)(ii), the first seasonal 
allowance of pollock for the inshore component in the BS was 
established by the final 1994 initial groundfish specifications (59 FR 
7656, February 16, 1994) as 178,054 metric tons (mt).
    The Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director) has 
determined in accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(8), that the first 
allowance of pollock TAC for the inshore component in the BS soon will 
be reached. Therefore, the Regional Director has established a directed 
fishing allowance of 173,054 mt with consideration that 5,000 mt will 
be taken as incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in 
the BS. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock 
by vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in 
the BS, effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., March 2, 1994, until 12 noon, 
A.l.t., August 15, 1994.
    Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found 
in the regulations at Sec. 675.20(h).

Classification

    This action is taken under Sec. 675.20.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 675

    Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

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

    Dated: February 28, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-4838 Filed 2-28-94; 2:49 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P