[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 190 (Monday, October 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24322]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 3, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 092394A]

 

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 Atka mackerel in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to fully use the total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel 
in that area.

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 
Atka mackerel was established by the final 1994 specifications (59 FR 
7647, February 16, 1994), as 1,000 metric tons (mt) for the Central 
Regulatory Area. At the same time, the directed fishery for Atka 
mackerel in the GOA was closed under Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii) in the final 
1994 specifications in order to reserve amounts anticipated to be 
needed for incidental catch by other fisheries.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that, as of 
September 17, 1994, 995 mt of Atka mackerel in the Central Regulatory 
Area of the GOA remains unharvested. This amount is in excess of the 
amount necessary as incidental catch for other groundfish fisheries. 
Therefore, NMFS is terminating this closure and opening directed 
fishing for Atka mackerel in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA 
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 Sec. 672.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: September 27, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-24322 Filed 9-28-94; 11:34 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F