[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 226 (Friday, November 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28945]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 25, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 931100-4043; I.D. 111894A]

 

Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for yellowfin sole by 
operators of vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian 
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the 1994 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance 
specified for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 19, 1994, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
(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 675.
    The 1994 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance for the trawl 
yellowfin sole fishery, which is defined at 
Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(B)(1), was established as 592 metric tons by the 
final 1994 initial specifications of groundfish (59 FR 7656, February 
16, 1994). The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in 
accordance with Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(iii), that the 1994 Pacific halibut 
bycatch mortality allowance for the trawl yellowfin sole fishery has 
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is closing directed fishing for yellowfin 
sole by operators of vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI from 12 noon, 
A.l.t., November 19, 1994, until 12 noon, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.
    Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found 
in the regulations at Sec. 675.20(h).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 675.21 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: November 18, 1994.
Fred Bilik,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-28945 Filed 11-18-94; 3:56 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F