[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2097]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 941249-4349; I.D. 012095B]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Inseason Action

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 63 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the interim 1995 initial specification 
for pollock in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 24, 1995, 
until 12 noon A.l.t, April 1, 1995 unless superseded by the final 1995 
specifications in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael L. Sloan, 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.
    The interim specification of pollock total allowable catch in 
Statistical Area 63 was established by interim specifications (59 FR 
65975, December 22, 1994) as 4,078 metric tons (mt), determined in 
accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(A).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the 1995 
interim specification of pollock in Statistical Area 63 soon will be 
reached. The Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance 
of 3,000 mt, and has set aside the remaining 1,078 mt as bycatch to 
support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. Because of the low 
directed fishing allowance and high interest in the fishery, there will 
be insufficient time to collect and analyze catch data and take 
appropriate action to ensure the directed fishing allowance is not 
exceeded. Therefore, based on the best available data, the Regional 
Director has determined that the pollock directed fishing allowance in 
Statistical Area 63 will be reached by 12 noon A.l.t., January 24, 
1995. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 63.
    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: January 23, 1995.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-2097 Filed 1-24-95; 4:31 pm]
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