[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 194 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24911]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 100394A]

 

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

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 in 
Statistical Area 61 (between 159 deg. and 170 deg. W. long.) in the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 
1994 total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in Statistical Area 61.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 4, 1994, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael L. Sloan, 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 GOA (FMP) prepared by the 
North Pacific Fishery Management Council under the 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 1994 pollock TAC 
for Statistical Area 61 is established by the final 1994 specifications 
(59 FR 7647, February 16, 1994) as 22,130 metric tons (mt). The fourth 
quarterly allowance of that TAC for Statistical Area 61 became 
available at noon, October 1, 1994, pursuant to Sec. 672.20(a)(2)(iv).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the 1994 TAC 
for pollock in Statistical Area 61 soon will be reached. The Regional 
Director established a directed fishing allowance of 21,500 mt, and has 
set aside the remaining 630 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated 
groundfish fisheries. The Regional Director has determined that the 
directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, directed 
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 61 is prohibited, effective 
from 12 noon, A.l.t., October 4, 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. 672.20(g).

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: October 4, 1994.
Richard Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-24911 Filed 10-4-94; 3:38 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F