[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 86 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-10826]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 042594A]

 

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 Bering Sea subarea (BS) 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 8, 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 BS 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 4,667 metric tons (mt).
    In accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(8), the Director of the Alaska 
Region, NMFS, has established a directed fishing allowance of 3,967 mt, 
with consideration that 700 mt will be taken as incidental catch in 
directed fishing for other species in the BS. 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 Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS, 
has determined that the Greenland turbot directed fishing allowance in 
the BS will be reached by 12 noon A.l.t., May 8, 1994. Consequently, 
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Greenland turbot in the BS, 
effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., May 8, 1994, until 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 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: May 2, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-10826 Filed 5-2-94; 12:32 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P