[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: 94-4839]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 022394A]

 

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 offshore component in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea (AI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
(BSAI) management area. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the pollock total allowable catch (TAC) for the offshore component in 
this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 1, 1994, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 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 TAC of pollock for 
vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in 
the AI was established by the final 1994 initial groundfish 
specifications (59 FR 7656, February 16, 1994), as 31,272 metric tons 
(mt).
    The Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(8), that the pollock TAC 
for the offshore component in the AI soon will be reached. Therefore, 
the Regional Director has established a directed fishing allowance of 
27,772 mt after determining that 3,500 mt will be taken as incidental 
catch in directed fishing for other species in the AI. Consequently, 
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by operators of 
vessels catching pollock for processing by the offshore component in 
the AI, effective from 12 noon A.l.t., March 1, 1994, until 12 
midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 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 25, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-4839 Filed 2-28-94; 2:49 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P