[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9027]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 040594C]

 

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 groundfish, other 
than demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) in the Southeast Outside district, 
by vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This 
action is necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal bycatch 
allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to hook-and-line gear in the 
GOA.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 28, 1994, 
through 12 noon, A.l.t., August 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 
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.
    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(f)(2), the 1994 Pacific halibut 
prohibited species catch limit for hook-and-line gear for groundfish 
fisheries, other than DSR in the Southeast Outside district, in the GOA 
was established by the final 1994 groundfish specifications (59 FR 
7647, February 16, 1994), as 740 metric tons (mt). NMFS apportioned 500 
mt to the second season, the period May 18 through August 31, 1994.
    Due to the short duration of the hook-and-line sablefish fishery, 
observer data will not be available in time to monitor bycatch during 
the second season of the 1994 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch 
limit for hook-and-line gear for groundfish fisheries. Therefore, based 
on the 1993 bycatch rates, the Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS, has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(ii)(A), that operators 
of vessels engaged in directed fishing for groundfish, other than DSR 
in the Southeast Outside district, with hook-and-line gear in the GOA 
will reach the second seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut by 
May 28, 1994. NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish, 
other than DSR in the Southeast Outside district, by vessels using 
hook-and-line gear in the GOA from 12 noon, A.l.t., May 28, 1994, until 
12 noon, A.l.t., August 31, 1994.
    Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found 
in the regulations at Sec. 672.20(g).

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: April 8, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-9027 Filed 4-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P