[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 223 (Monday, November 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28596]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 21, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 111094A]

 

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 in the 
Western Regulatory Area in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) by vessels catching 
Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component. This action is 
necessary to fully utilize the allocation of the total allowable catch 
(TAC) of Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area specified for 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 19, 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 NMFS 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 allocation of 
Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA for vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component was 
established by the 1994 specifications of groundfish harvest (59 FR 
7647, February 16, 1994) as 14,967 metric tons (mt). The directed 
fishery for Pacific cod by the inshore component closed on March 8, 
1994 (59 FR 11209, March 10, 1994).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that, as of 
October 22, 1994, 500 mt of the TAC of Pacific cod for the inshore 
component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA remains 
unharvested. This amount is in excess of the amount necessary as 
incidental catch by vessels using pot or jig gear in other groundfish 
fisheries. Directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using hook-and-
line or trawl gear is prohibited, because the allocations of Pacific 
halibut bycatch mortality for those gears have been reached. Therefore, 
NMFS is terminating the closure and is opening directed fishing for 
Pacific cod in the Western GOA by vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the inshore component effective at 12 noon, A.l.t., 
November 19, 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: November 15, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-28596 Filed 11-15-94; 5:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F