[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 169 (Thursday, September 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-21630]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 1, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 082994A]

 

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 species that comprise 
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf 
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the third seasonal 
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the deep-water 
species fishery in the GOA has been caught.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 29, 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 deep-water species fishery that is defined 
at Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(ii)(B) was apportioned 400 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 
deep-water species fishery in the GOA have caught the third seasonal 
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to that fishery. 
Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for each species and 
species group that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels 
using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups that 
comprise the deep-water species fishery are: All rockfish of the genera 
Sebastes and Sebastolobus, Greenland turbot, Dover sole, rex sole, 
arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish. This closure is effective from 12 
noon, A.l.t., August 29, 1994, until 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 29, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-21630 Filed 8-29-94; 1:08 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F