[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 96 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12256]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 19, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 051694A]

 

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 yellowfin sole by 
vessels using trawl gear in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 (Zone 1) 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 specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery 
in Zone 1.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 16, 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 1 for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery, which is defined 
at Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(B)(1), was established as 175,000 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)(i), that the prohibited species bycatch 
allowance of C. bairdi Tanner crab specified for the trawl yellowfin 
sole fishery in Zone 1 has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in Zone 
1 of the BSAI from 12 noon, A.l.t., May 16, 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.

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

    Dated: May 16, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-12256 Filed 5-16-94; 4:43 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P