[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: 94-19035]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 080194A]

 

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Prohibition of retention.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of thornyhead rockfish in the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and is requiring that incidental catches be 
treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea 
with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the 
thornyhead rockfish total allowable catch (TAC) in this area has been 
reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 1, 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 TAC for thornyhead 
rockfish in the GOA was established by the final 1994 specifications 
(59 FR 7647, February 16, 1994), as 1,180 metric tons.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(c)(3), that the TAC for thornyhead rockfish in the GOA 
has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of 
thornyhead rockfish in the GOA be treated as prohibited species in 
accordance with Sec. 672.20(e), effective from 12 noon, A.l.t. August 
1, 1994, until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 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: August 1, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-19035 Filed 8-1-94; 3:43 pm]
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