[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: 94-21631]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 1, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042: I.D. 082994B]

 

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Prohibition of retention.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of northern rockfish in the 
Central Regulatory Area of 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 northern rockfish total allowable catch (TAC) in 
this area has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 29, 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 Gulf of Alaska (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 northern 
rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area was established by the final 
groundfish specifications (59 FR 7647, February 16, 1994), as 4,720 
metric tons. The directed fishery for northern rockfish in the Central 
Regulatory Area was closed under Sec. 672.20(c)(2) on July 15, 1994 (59 
FR 37180, July 21, 1994).
    The Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined in 
accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(3), that the TAC for northern rockfish 
in the Central Regulatory Area has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
requiring that further catches of northern rockfish in the Central 
Regulatory Area be treated as prohibited species in accordance with 
Sec. 672.20(e), effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., August 29, 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 29, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-21631 Filed 8-29-94; 1:08 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F