[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 81 (Thursday, April 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10161]


[Federal Register: April 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 042194D]


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 deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf 
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal 
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the deep-water 
species fishery in the GOA has been caught.

EFFECTIVE DATES: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 22, 1994, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., June 30, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, Senior Inseason 
Manager, 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 (59 FR 6222, February 10, 1994) 
apportioned the Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (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 deep-water species fishery, which is 
defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(ii)(B), was apportioned 300 mt of Pacific 
halibut PSC for the second season, the period March 31, 1994, through 
June 30, 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 deep-water species fishery in the GOA have caught the second 
seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to that 
fishery. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for each 
species and species group that comprise the deep-water species fishery 
by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups 
that comprise the deep-water species fishery are: All rockfish of the 
genera Sebastes and Sebastolobus, Greenland turbot, Dover sole, Rex 
sole, arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish. This closure is effective 
from 12 noon, A.l.t., April 22, 1994, until 12 noon, A.l.t., June 30, 
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: April 22, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-10161 Filed 4-22-94; 2:59 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P