[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 160 (Friday, August 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20374]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 19, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 081594B]

 

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise 
the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA that remain open 
to directed fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the 
third seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the 
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 15, 1994, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., September 30, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael L. Sloan, 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.
    An emergency interim rule (59 FR 6222, February 10, 1994) and 
subsequent extension of effective date (59 FR 24965, May 13, 1994) 
apportioned the Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit 
for trawl gear into bycatch allowances and seasonal apportionments 
thereof among fishery categories. In accordance with 
Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(iii), the shallow-water species fishery that is 
defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(ii)(A) was apportioned 200 metric tons of 
Pacific halibut PSC for the third season, the period June 30, 1994, 
through September 30, 1994.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(iv), that vessels participating in the trawl 
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA have caught the third seasonal 
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut PSC apportioned to that fishery. 
Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for each species and 
species group that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by 
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except directed fishing for 
pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the 
GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. The species and species 
groups that comprise the shallow-water species fishery are: Pollock, 
Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and 
``other species.'' This closure is effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., 
August 15, 1994, through 12 noon, A.l.t., September 30, 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 15, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-20374 Filed 8-15-94; 4:48 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F