[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11296]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 11, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 931235-4107; I.D. 050294B]

 

Pacific Halibut Fisheries

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of in-season action.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, on behalf of 
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes notice 
of this in-season action pursuant to IPHC regulations approved by the 
United States Government to govern the Pacific halibut fishery. This 
action is intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific halibut 
stocks in order to help sustain them at an adequate level in the 
northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 15, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Pennoyer, Regional Director, 
telephone 907-586-7221; Gary Smith, Acting Regional Director, telephone 
206-526-6140; or Donald McCaughran, Executive Director, telephone 206-
634-1838.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IPHC, under the Convention between the 
United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut 
Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (signed at Ottawa, 
Ontario, on March 2, 1953), as amended by a Protocol Amending the 
Convention (signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979), has issued 
this in-season action pursuant to IPHC regulations governing the 
Pacific halibut fishery. The regulations have been approved by the 
Secretary of State of the United States of America (59 FR 22522, May 2, 
1994). On behalf of the IPHC, this in-season action is published in the 
Federal Register to provide additional notice of its effectiveness, and 
to inform persons subject to the in-season action of the restrictions 
and requirements established therein.

Inseason Action

1994 Halibut Landing Report No. 1

Northwest Treaty Tribes Fishery in Area 2A
    Northwest treaty Indian tribes were allocated a total allowable 
catch of 192,500 pounds (lbs) (87.3 metric tons (mt)) in subarea 2A-1 
(northern Washington coast) in 1994. Of this total, 16,000 lbs (7.3 mt) 
are reserved for ceremonial and subsistence purposes, leaving 176,500 
lbs (80 mt) for the commercial fishery. Poor weather on the March 1 
opening date resulted in canceling the fishery until March 5. Three 
fishing periods of 84 hours, 96 hours, and 30 hours respectively 
between March 5 and March 26 resulted in a total catch of 187,700 lbs 
(85.1 mt), exceeding the commercial catch limit by 11,200 lbs (5.1 mt).
Non-Treaty Commercial Fishing Period Limits in Area 2A
    The Commission has determined that fishing period limits will be 
required during the 10-hour, July 6 non-treaty commercial fishing 
period in Area 2A to avoid exceeding the 178,750 lbs (81 mt) catch 
limit.
    The following table of fishing period limits reflects the average 
catch by vessel class from openings without trip limits in Area 2A, 
adjusted by anticipated fleet size to avoid exceeding the catch limit: 

                                                                                                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Vessel class                                         Fishing period limit               
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Dressed, head-on        Dressed, head-off\1\  
                     Length                         Letter   ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Pounds    Metric tons     Pounds    Metric tons
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-25............................................  A                   195         0.09          170         0.08
 26-30..........................................  B                   240         0.11          210         0.10
 31-35..........................................  C                   380         0.17          335         0.15
 36-40..........................................  D                 1,050         0.48          925         0.42
 41-45..........................................  E                 1,130         0.51          995         0.45
 46-50..........................................  F                 1,350         0.61        1,190         0.54
 51-55..........................................  G                 1,510         0.68        1,330         0.60
 56+............................................  H                 2,275         1.03        2,000        0.91 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Weights are after 2 percent has been deducted for ice and slime if fish are not washed prior to weighing.    

    The appropriate vessel length and letter are printed on each 
halibut license. Decals showing the letter have been supplied with the 
license and should be displayed on the vessel.
    The fishing period limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-off 
weight as well as dressed, head-on weight although fishermen are 
reminded that regulations require that all halibut from Area 2A be 
landed with their heads on.
    The July 6 fishing period will begin at 8 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. 
The fishing period limit applies to the vessel, not the individual 
fisherman, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to 
forfeiture and fine.
Canadian Commercial Fishery in Area 2B
    Canadian halibut landings from Area 2B have totaled 2.4 million lbs 
(907.2 mt) between March 1 and March 31. This fishery will continue 
until all Individual Vessel Quota's have been filled or November 15, 
whichever is earlier.
Annette Islands Reserve Fishery in Area 2C
    The Metlakatla Indian Community has been authorized by the United 
States Government to conduct a commercial halibut fishery within the 
3,000 foot (914.4 meters) Annette Islands Reserve waters. Fishing is 
restricted to 96 hours per month, and all catches are deducted from the 
Area 2C catch limit. Four 48-hour fishing periods in April and March 
produced a catch of just under 500 lbs (0.2 mt).
June Fishing Period Limits in Area 3B and 4A
    The Commission has determined that fishing period limits will be 
required during the June 6 opening in Area 3B to avoid exceeding the 
catch limit. Last year, 5.2 million lbs (2,358.7 mt) were landed from 
Area 3B during the June fishing period, and this year's catch limit is 
4.0 million lbs (1,814 mt). With fishing period limits in Area 3B, the 
Commission is concerned that some Area 3B fishermen might shift to Area 
4A, thereby increasing the Area 4A catch. A shift of effort to Area 4A 
could jeopardize the August 15 fishing period, and possibly even result 
in exceeding the Area 4A catch limit. The Commission approved the June 
opening in Area 4A with the understanding that the catch would be 
minimal and that the August fishery would not be effected. Therefore, 
the fishing period limits in Area 3B will also be in effect in Area 4A. 
The fishing period in both areas will open at 12 noon on June 6 and 
close at 12 noon on June 7 with the following fishing period limits: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Vessel class                        Fishing period  
-----------------------------------------------------   limit (dressed, 
                                                          heads off)    
                                                     -------------------
                                                          Area 3B-4A    
                 Length                     Letter   -------------------
                                                                 Metric 
                                                       Pounds     tons  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 0-25...................................  A                900       0.4
 26-30..................................  B              1,300       0.6
 31-35..................................  C              4,000       1.8
 36-40..................................  D              5,200       2.4
 41-45..................................  E              8,400       3.8
 46-50..................................  F             11,800       5.4
 51-55..................................  G             17,400       7.9
 56+....................................  H             30,000     13.6 
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    Dated: May 5, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-11296 Filed 5-10-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P