[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: 94-11397]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 11, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 050694A]

 

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 species in the rock 
sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using trawl gear in 
bycatch limitation zone 2 (Zone 2) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands Management Area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the prohibited species bycatch allowance of C. bairdi Tanner 
crab to the trawl rock sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category in Zone 
2.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 7, 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 Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands Area (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.
    The 1994 prohibited species bycatch allowance of C. bairdi Tanner 
crab in Zone 2 for the trawl rock sole/``other flatfish'' fishery 
category, which is defined at Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(B)(2), was 
established as 260,000 crabs by the final 1994 initial specifications 
(59 FR 7656, February 16, 1994).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(ii), that the prohibited species bycatch 
allowance of C. bairdi Tanner crab for the trawl rock sole/``other 
flatfish'' fishery in Zone 2 has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for species in the rock sole/``other 
flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using trawl gear in Zone 2 of 
the BSAI from 12 noon, A.l.t., May 7, 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 50 CFR 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 6, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-11397 Filed 5-6-94; 1:16 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P