[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10492]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 042294A]

 

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 Greenland turbot in 
the Aleutian Islands subarea (AI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the Greenland turbot total allowable catch (TAC) in that 
subarea.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 4, 1994, until 
12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 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 BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce according to the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the BSAI (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 Greenland turbot TAC 
for the AI was established by the final 1994 initial specifications of 
groundfish (59 FR 7656, February 16, 1994) and subsequent apportionment 
of reserve (59 FR 21673, April 26, 1994) as 2,333 metric tons (mt).
    In accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(8), the Director of the Alaska 
Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has established a directed fishing 
allowance of 1,400 mt, with consideration that 933 mt will be taken as 
incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in the AI. In 
accordance with Sec. 675.23(f), this fishery begins at 12 noon, A.l.t., 
May 1, 1994. Because of the low directed fishing allowance and high 
interest in the fishery, there will be insufficient time to collect and 
analyze catch data and take appropriate action to ensure the directed 
fishing allowance is not exceeded. Therefore, based on the best 
available data, the Regional Director has determined that the Greenland 
turbot directed fishing allowance in the AI will be reached by 12 noon, 
A.l.t., May 4, 1994. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing 
for Greenland turbot in the AI, effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., May 4, 
1994, until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.
    Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found 
at Sec. 675.20(h).

Classification

    This action is taken under Sec. 675.20 and is exempt from OMB 
review under E.O. 12866.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 675

    Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: April 26, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-10492 Filed 5-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-M