[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:
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Vessel class Fishing period limit
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Dressed, head-on Dressed, head-off\1\
Length Letter ---------------------------------------------------
Pounds Metric tons Pounds Metric tons
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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
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\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:
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Vessel class Fishing period
----------------------------------------------------- limit (dressed,
heads off)
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Area 3B-4A
Length Letter -------------------
Metric
Pounds tons
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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