[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: 94-24135]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 29, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 091694A]

 

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component in the 
Central and Western Regulatory Areas in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This 
action is necessary to fully utilize the allocation of the total 
allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by the offshore component in the 
Central and Western Regulatory Areas of the GOA.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 30, 
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 annual TAC for 
Pacific cod was established by the final 1994 specifications (59 FR 
7647, February 16, 1994), as 3,125 metric tons (mt) for the Central 
Regulatory Area and 1,663 mt for the Western Regulatory Area. At the 
same time, the directed fishery for Pacific cod in the GOA by vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component was 
closed under Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii) in order to reserve amounts 
anticipated to be needed for incidental catch by other fisheries (59 FR 
7647, February 16, 1994).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that, as of 
September 10, 1994, 2,450 mt for the Central Regulatory Area and 1,423 
mt for the Western Regulatory Area remain unharvested by vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component. These 
amounts are in excess of those necessary as incidental catch for other 
groundfish fisheries. Therefore, NMFS is terminating those closures and 
is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod in the Central and Western 
GOA by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore 
component effective at 12 noon, A.l.t., September 30, 1994, until 12 
midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.
    All other closures remain in full force and effect.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 672.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: September 23, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-24135 Filed 9-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F