[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 141 (Monday, July 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17919]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 25, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 931235-4107; I.D. 071594H]

 

Pacific Halibut Fisheries

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of inseason 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 inseason action pursuant to IPHC regulations approved by the 
U.S. 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: July 12, 1994, through October 31, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Pennoyer, telephone 907-586-
7221; Gary Smith, telephone 206-526-6140; or Donald McCaughran, 
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 inseason action pursuant to IPHC regulations governing the Pacific 
halibut fishery. The regulations have been approved by the Secretary of 
State (59 FR 22522, May 2, 1994). On behalf of the IPHC, this inseason 
action is published in the Federal Register to provide additional 
notice of its effectiveness, and to inform persons subject to the 
inseason action of the restrictions and requirements established 
therein.
Inseason Action
1994 Halibut Landing Report No. 11, Area 2A to Reopen on July 19

    The July 6 fishing period in Area 2A (Washington, Oregon, and 
California) resulted in a catch of 125,000 lb (56.7 mt), leaving nearly 
54,000 lb (24.5 mt) yet to be caught from the 178,750 lb (81 mt) catch 
limit. Area 2A will reopen on July 19 for 10 hours from 8:00 a.m. to 
6:00 p.m. local time. Fishing period limits as indicated in the 
following table will be in effect for this opening. Note that the 
fishing period limits for the three smallest vessel classes have all 
been set at the same level. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Vessel class                        Fishing period  
-----------------------------------------------------   limit (pounds)  
                                                     -------------------
                                                                Dressed,
                 Length                     Letter    Dressed,    head- 
                                                      head-on    off\1\ 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-25.....................................  A               225       200
26-30....................................  B               225       200
31-35....................................  C               225       200
36-40....................................  D               395       350
41-45....................................  E               425       375
46-50....................................  F               510       450
51-55....................................  G               570       500
56+......................................  H               850      750 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Weights are after 2 percent has been deducted for ice and slime if   
  fish are not washed prior to weighing.                                

    The fishing period limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-off 
weight as well as dressed, head-on weight. Fishermen should be aware 
that regulations require that all halibut from Area 2A be landed with 
heads on. 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 may result in a fine.

Area 4C to Reopen on August 2

    The IPHC has determined that nearly 676,000 lb (306.6 mt) were 
harvested from Area 4C during 14 1-day fishing periods between June 3 
and June 30. As the total catch is 24,000 lb (10.9 mt) less than the 
catch limit of 700,000 lb (317.5 mt), the IPHC will reopen Area 4C for 
a single 24-hour fishing period commencing at 12:00 noon Alaska 
Daylight Time on August 2 and ending at 12:00 noon Alaska Daylight Time 
on August 3. A 1,500 lb (0.7 mt) catch limit will apply to all vessels 
during this fishing period instead of the 10,000 lb (4.5 mt) limit 
specified in the 1994 Pacific Halibut Fisheries Regulations.

September Fishing Periods and Limits in Areas 2C, 3A, and 3B

    The IPHC has determined that fishing period limits will not be 
required in Area 2C during the September opening, but will be required 
in Areas 3A and 3B to avoid exceeding the catch limit.
    The IPHC has set the fishing period in all three areas at 48 hours. 
The fishing periods will open on September 12 at 12:00 noon Alaska 
Daylight Time, and close on September 14 at 12:00 noon Alaska Daylight 
Time. Fishing period limits for Areas 3A and 3B are as follows: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Vessel class                        Fishing period  
-----------------------------------------------------   limits (pounds, 
                                                        dressed, heads  
                                                             off)       
                  Length                     Letter  -------------------
                                                       Area 3A   Area 3B
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-25.....................................  A               600       600
26-30....................................  B               900       900
31-35....................................  C             2,700     2,700
36-40....................................  D             3,500     3,500
41-45....................................  E             5,600     5,600
46-50....................................  F             7,900     7,900
51-55....................................  G            11,600    11,600
56+......................................  H            20,000   20,000 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The above fishing period limits reflect the historical average 
catch, adjusted by anticipated fleet size and catch rate to avoid 
exceeding the catch limit. The appropriate length and letter for each 
vessel class is printed on each halibut license. Decals showing the 
letter have been supplied with the license and should be displayed on 
the vessel.
    In the event that the catch limit in one or more of the three areas 
is not attained, and sufficient poundage remains to permit further 
fishing, the next scheduled fishing period is October 10. NMFS should 
be contacted regarding sablefish retention during the halibut opening.

    Dated: July 18, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-17919 Filed 7-22-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-W