[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 24 (Monday, February 6, 1995)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 6974] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-2844] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 675 [Docket No. 941241-4341; I.D. 020195A] Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Atka Mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the interim specification of Atka mackerel in these areas. EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 2, 1995, until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1995. 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 Area (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. In accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(7)(i), the interim 1995 specifications of groundfish for the BSAI (59 FR 64346, December 14, 1994) established 2,864 metric tons (mt) as the interim allowance of Atka mackerel for the Eastern Aleutian District and the Bering Sea (BS) subarea. The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has determined, in accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(8), that the Atka mackerel total allowable catch (TAC) in the Eastern Aleutian District and BS subarea soon will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Director has established a directed fishing allowance of 2,464 mt after determining that 400 mt will be taken as incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in the Eastern Aleutian District and BS subarea. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Eastern Aleutian District and the BS subarea. Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found in the regulations at Sec. 675.20(h). Classification This action is taken under Sec. 675.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: February 1, 1995. David S. Crestin, Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 95-2844 Filed 2-1-95; 4:28 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F