[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12633]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 24, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 051994A]

 

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

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 species that comprise 
the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA that remain open 
to directed fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the 
second seasonal allowance of Pacific halibut prohibited species catch 
(PSC) apportioned to the shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has 
been caught.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 19, 1994, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., June 30, 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 GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce according to the 
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (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 672.
    An emergency interim rule (59 FR 6222, February 10, 1994) 
apportioned the Pacific halibut PSC limit for trawl gear into bycatch 
allowances, and seasonal apportionments thereof, among fishery 
categories. In accordance with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(iii), the shallow 
water-species fishery, which is defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(ii)(A), 
was apportioned 100 metric tons of Pacific halibut PSC for the second 
season--March 31, 1994 through June 30, 1994.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(iv), that vessels participating in the trawl 
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA have caught the second 
seasonal allowance of Pacific halibut PSC apportioned to that fishery. 
Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for each species and 
species group that comprise the shallow water species fishery by 
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except directed fishing for 
pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the 
GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. The species and species 
groups that comprise the shallow-water species fishery are pollock, 
Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and 
``other species.'' This closure is effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., May 
19, 1994, through 12 noon, A.l.t., June 30, 1994.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 672.20 and is exempt from OMB 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: May 19, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-12633 Filed 5-19-94; 4:25 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P