[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 162 (Tuesday, August 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20677]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 23, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 081694B]

 

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

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 groundfish, other 
than demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) in the Southeast Outside district, 
by vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This 
action is necessary because the entire bycatch allowance of Pacific 
halibut apportioned to hook-and-line gear in the GOA for the 1994 
fishing year has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 31, 1994, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 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.
    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(ii), the 1994 Pacific halibut 
bycatch allowance for hook-and-line gear for groundfish fisheries in 
the GOA, other than DSR in the Southeast Outside district, was 
established by the final 1994 groundfish specifications (59 FR 7647, 
February 16, 1994) as 740 metric tons.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(ii)(A), that the catch of Pacific halibut by 
operators of vessels using hook-and-line gear in groundfish fisheries 
other than the directed fishery for DSR in the Southeast Outside 
District has reached the annual bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut. 
Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish, other 
than DSR in the Southeast Outside district, by vessels using hook-and-
line gear in the GOA from 12 noon, A.l.t., August 31, 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. 672.20(g).

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 18, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-20677 Filed 8-22-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F