[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 175 (Monday, September 12, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22376]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 12, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 090694A]

 

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 pollock by trawl 
vessels using non-pelagic trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the BSAI bycatch allowance of halibut specified for the trawl 
pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery category.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 6, 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 Bering Sea 
and Aleutian Islands Area (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.
    The 1994 bycatch allowance of halibut specified for the trawl 
pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery category which is 
defined at Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(F), was established as 957 metric 
tons by the final 1994 initial specifications (59 FR 7656, February 16, 
1994).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(iii), that the bycatch allowance of halibut 
specified for the trawl pollock/Atka mackerel/``other species'' fishery 
category has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing for pollock by trawl vessels using non-pelagic trawl gear in 
the BSAI from 12 noon, A.l.t., September 6, 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 675.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: September 6, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-22376 Filed 9-6-94; 4:05 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F