[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: 94-17933]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 25, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 071894A]

 

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is rescinding the closure to directed fishing for the 
``other rockfish'' species category in the Eastern Regulatory Area in 
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully utilize the 
total allowable catch (TAC) for the ``other rockfish'' species category 
in the Eastern Regulatory Area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 20, 1994, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 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 GOA (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.
    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(B), the annual TAC for the 
``other rockfish'' species category in the Eastern Regulatory Area, was 
established by the final 1994 specifications (59 FR 7647, February 16, 
1994), as 1048 metric tons (mt). The specifications also closed the 
directed fishery for the ``other rockfish'' species category in the 
Eastern Regulatory Area under Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii). NMFS has 
determined that as of July 2, 1994, 917 mt remains unharvested.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1994 TAC 
for the ``other rockfish'' species category in the Eastern Regulatory 
Area has not been reached and that the remaining amount is sufficient 
to support a directed fishery. Therefore, NMFS is rescinding the 
previous closure and is opening directed fishing for the ``other 
rockfish'' species category in the Eastern Regulatory Area, effective 
at 12 noon, A.l.t., July 20, 1994.
    All other closures remain in full force and effect.

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: July 19, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-17933 Filed 7-19-94; 3:59 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F