[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 149 (Thursday, August 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-18976]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 072894A]

 

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

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

ACTION: Apportionment of reserve; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to apportion reserve to certain target species 
in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This 
action is necessary to allow for ongoing harvest and account for 
previous harvest of the total allowable catch (TAC).

DATES: Comments must be received at the following address no later than 
4:30 p.m., Alaska local time, August 19, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to Ronald J. Berg, Chief, Fisheries 
Management Division, Alaska Region, NMFS, 709 W. 9th, Room 401, Juneau, 
AK 99801 or P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, Attention: Lori Gravel.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the U.S. 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 Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the initial 
TACs specified for sablefish in the Bering Sea subarea (BS), for 
sablefish and the sharpchin/northern rockfish species category in the 
Aleutian Islands subarea (AI), and for Atka mackerel in the Central and 
Western Aleutian Districts, need to be supplemented from the non-
specific reserve to continue operations and account for prior harvest. 
Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 675.20(b), NMFS proposes to 
apportion from the reserve to TACs for the following species: (1) For 
the BS--81 metric tons (mt) to sablefish; (2) for the AI--420 mt to 
sablefish, and 850 mt to the sharpchin/northern rockfish species 
category; (3) for the Central Aleutian District--6,679 mt to Atka 
mackerel; and (4) for the Western Aleutian District--1,500 mt to Atka 
mackerel.
    These proposed apportionments are consistent with 
Sec. 675.20(a)(2)(i) and do not result in overfishing of a target 
species or the ``other species'' category because the revised TACs are 
equal to or less than specifications of acceptable biological catch.
    Pursuant to Sec. 675.24(c)(1)(i), the proposed apportionment of the 
BS sablefish is allocated 41 mt to vessels using hook-and-line or pot 
gear, and 40 mt to vessels using trawl gear. Pursuant to 
Sec. 675.24(c)(1)(ii), the proposed apportionment of the AI sablefish 
is allocated 315 mt to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear, and 105 
mt to vessels using trawl gear.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.20 and 675.24 and is exempt 
from OMB review under E.O. 12866.
    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: July 29, 1994.
Richard B. Stone,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-18976 Filed 8-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F