[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: 94-12257]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 19, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 675

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

 

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 prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of the Pacific cod total 
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or pot 
gear in the BSAI.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 16, 1994, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., September 1, 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 Pacific cod TAC for 
the BSAI was established by the final 1994 initial specifications of 
groundfish (59 FR 7656, February 16, 1994) and increased by an 
apportionment from the reserve (59 FR 21673, April 26, 1994) to 191,000 
metric tons (mt). The second seasonal apportionment of the amount of 
the 1994 Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels using hook-and-line or 
pot gear is 8,404 mt pursuant to Sec. 675.20(a)(3)(iv) and 
Sec. 675.20(a)(2)(v). This action is consistent with amendment 24, 
which apportions Pacific cod TAC among gear types and seasons (59 FR 
4009, January 28, 1994).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(8), that the second 
seasonal apportionment of the Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels 
using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI soon will be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Director has established a directed fishing 
allowance of 8,000 mt, with consideration that 404 mt will be taken as 
incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in the BSAI. The 
Regional Director has determined that the directed fishing allowance 
has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing 
for Pacific cod by vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI, 
effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., May 16, 1994, until 12 noon, A.l.t., 
September 1, 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.

    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. 94-12257 Filed 5-16-94; 4:43 pm]
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