[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 188 (Thursday, September 29, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-24006] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: September 29, 1994] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 301 [Docket No. 9312335-4107; I.D. 092294A] Pacific Halibut Fisheries AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of inseason action. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, on behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes notice of this inseason action pursuant to IPHC regulations approved by the U.S. Government to govern the Pacific halibut fishery. This action is intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific halibut stocks in order to help sustain them at an adequate level in the northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. DATES: Area 4A and 4B were reopened effective September 12, 1994, 12:00 noon, Alaska Daylight Time (ADT), through September 14, 1994, 12:00 noon, ADT. Area 4D was closed effective 3 p.m. ADT August 6, 1994 through December 31, 1994. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Pennoyer, telephone 907-586- 7221; William W. Stelle, Jr., telephone 206-526-6140; or Donald McCaughran, telephone 206-634-1838. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IPHC, under the Convention between the United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (signed at Ottawa, Ontario, on March 2, 1953), as amended by a Protocol Amending the Convention (signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979), has issued this inseason action pursuant to IPHC regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery (50 CFR 301.4). The regulations have been approved by the Secretary of State (59 FR 22522, May 2, 1994). On behalf of the IPHC, this inseason action is published in the Federal Register to provide additional notice of its effectiveness, and to inform persons subject to the inseason action of the restrictions and requirements established therein. Inseason Action 1994 Halibut Landing Report No. 15 Commercial Fishery Update In Area 4 The IPHC estimates the following catches for the mid-August fishing periods in Area 4. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ August Season Remaining Area catch catch catch limit (000's lb) (000's lb) (000's lb) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4A............................... 1,541 1,672 128 4B............................... 1,679 2,008 92 4D............................... 692 710 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Area 4D Closed to Halibut Fishing The catch limit in Area 4D was reached and Area 4D is now closed to halibut fishing for the remainder of 1994. Area 4A and 4B Reopened on September 12 Although only a small amount of catch limit remains for Areas 4A and 4B, the IPHC anticipates very little fishing effort if these areas are opened concurrently with Area 3 during September. Therefore, Areas 4A and 4B will be reopened to halibut fishing on September 12 at 12:00 noon ADT, and close on September 14 at 12:00 noon ADT. Fishing period limits (identical to those in Area 3) will be required for both Areas 4A and 4B, to avoid exceeding the catch limit, and are shown in the following table. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vessel class Fishing period limits ----------------------------------------------- (lb, dressed, heads off) Length Letter ------------------------- Area 4A Area 4B ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0-25.............................. A 600 600 26-30............................. B 900 900 31-35............................. C 2,700 2,700 36-40............................. D 3,500 3,500 41-45............................. E 5,600 5,600 46-50............................. F 7,900 7,900 51-55............................. G 11,600 11,600 56+............................... H 20,000 20,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vessel operators are reminded that vessel clearances are required prior to fishing, and prior to unloading and/or departure from Area 4. The required clearances for Area 4A may be obtained at designated fish processors in Akutan and Dutch Harbor. The required clearances for Area 4B may only be obtained at the city office in Atka Village, located at Nazan Bay on Atka Island. Dated: September 22, 1994. David S. Crestin, Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 94-24006 Filed 9-28-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P