[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2979]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 941249-4349; I.D. 020295A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 61

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 pollock in 
Statistical Area 61 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the interim specification for pollock in 
this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 2, 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until 12 noon A.l.t., April 1, 1995, unless superseded by the final 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: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by the 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 61 was established by interim specifications (59 FR 
65990, December 22, 1994) as 7,595 metric tons (mt), determined in 
accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(A).
    The Director of the 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 61 soon will be 
reached. The Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance 
of 6,095 mt, and has set aside the remaining 1,500 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 
reached. Therefore, based on the best available information, the 
Regional Director has determined that the directed fishing allowance 
will be reached by 12 noon A.l.t., February 2, 1995. Consequently, NMFS 
is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 61.
    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: February 2, 1995.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-2979 Filed 2-2-95; 3:12 pm]
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