[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 52 (Friday, March 17, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 14390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6549]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 031095E]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Central 
Regulatory 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 Pacific cod by 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action 
is necessary to prevent exceeding the allocation of Pacific cod for the 
offshore component in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 13, 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 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 for the offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area 
was established by the final groundfish specifications (60 FR 8470, 
February 14, 1995), as 4,565 metric tons (mt).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the 
allocation of Pacific cod total allowable catch for the offshore 
component in the Central Regulatory Area soon will be reached. The 
Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance of 3,565 mt, 
with consideration that 1,000 mt will be taken as incidental catch in 
directed fishing for other species in the Central Regulatory Area. The 
Regional Director has determined that the directed fishing allowance 
has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing 
for Pacific cod by operators of vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area.
    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: March 13, 1995.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-6549 Filed 3-13-95; 4:33 pm]
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