[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: 94-4902]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 022894A]

 

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 aggregate species in 
the rock sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using 
trawl gear in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 (Zone 1) of the Bering Sea and 
Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to 
prevent exceeding the prohibited species bycatch allowance of red king 
crab to the trawl rock sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category in Zone 
1.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 28, 1994, 
through 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, Fishery Biologist, 
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 Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands 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.
    The 1994 prohibited species bycatch allowance of red king crab in 
Zone 1 for the trawl rock sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category, 
which is defined at Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(B)(2), was established as 
110,000 crabs by the final 1994 initial specifications (59 FR 7656, 
February 16, 1994).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(i), that the prohibited species bycatch 
allowance of red king crab for the trawl rock sole/``other flatfish'' 
fishery in Zone 1 has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for aggregate species in the rock sole/``other 
flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using trawl gear in Zone 1 of 
the BSAI from 12 noon, A.l.t., February 28, 1994, through 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 50 CFR 675.20.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 675

    Fish, 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. 94-4902 Filed 2-28-94; 2:49 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P