[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 155 (Friday, August 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19682]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 12, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 080594A]

 

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

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 sablefish by 
operators of vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in the Bering Sea 
subarea (BS) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the share of the 
sablefish total allowable catch (TAC) assigned to hook-and-line and pot 
gear in the BS.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 8, 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 BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce according to the 
Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the BSAI (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.
    In accordance with Sec. 675.24(c)(1)(i), the share of the sablefish 
TAC assigned to hook-and-line and pot gear in the BS was established by 
the final groundfish specifications (59 FR 7656, February 16, 1994) as 
229 metric tons. The Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS, has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 675.24(d)(1), that the share of the 
sablefish TAC assigned to hook-and-line and pot gear in the BS subarea 
will be taken before the end of the year. Therefore, to provide 
adequate bycatch amounts of sablefish to ensure continued groundfish 
fishing activity by hook-and-line and pot gear, NMFS is prohibiting 
directed fishing for sablefish by persons using hook-and-line and pot 
gear in the BS effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., August 8, 1994, until 12 
midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.
    Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found 
in the regulations at Sec. 675.20(h).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.24 and is exempt from OMB 
review under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: August 8, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-19682 Filed 8-9-94; 9:18 am]
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