[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6929]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 24, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 032194A]

 

Groundfish 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 species that comprise 
the shallow water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA that remain open 
to directed fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the 
first seasonal allowance of Pacific halibut prohibited species catch 
(PSC) apportioned to the shallow water trawl fishery category in the 
GOA has been caught.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 21, 1994, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., March 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 GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce according to the 
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (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.
    An emergency interim rule (58 FR 6222, February 10, 1994) 
apportioned the Pacific halibut PSC limit for trawl gear into bycatch 
allowances and seasonal apportionments thereof among fishery 
categories. In accordance with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(iii) the shallow water 
species fishery, which is defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(ii)(A) was 
apportioned 500 mt of Pacific halibut PSC for the first season, the 
period January 20, 1994, through March 31, 1994.
    The Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in 
accordance with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(iv), that vessels participating in 
the trawl shallow water species fishery in the GOA have caught the 
first seasonal allowance of Pacific halibut PSC apportioned to that 
fishery. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for each 
species and species group that comprise the shallow water species 
fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except directed fishing 
for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of 
the GOA that remain open to directed fishing for pollock. The species 
and species groups that comprise the shallow water species fishery are: 
Pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka 
mackerel, and ``other species''. This closure is effective from 12 
noon, A.l.t., March 21, 1994, through 12 noon, A.l.t., March 31, 1994.

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: March 21, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-6929 Filed 3-21-94; 1:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P