[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 57 (Friday, March 24, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 15521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-7233]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 950206040-5040-01; I.D. 032095C]


Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pacific 
Cod by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1

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 using trawl gear in Bycatch Limitation Zone 1 (Zone 1) of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the prohibited species catch (PSC) 
allowance of C. bairdi Tanner crab apportioned to the trawl Pacific cod 
fishery category in Zone 1.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 20, 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.
    The 1995 PSC allowance of C. bairdi Tanner crab in Zone 1 for the 
trawl Pacific cod fishery category, which is defined at 
Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(E), was established as 225,000 crabs by the 1995 
final initial specifications (60 FR 8479, February 14, 1995).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(i), that the PSC allowance of C. bairdi Tanner 
crab for the trawl Pacific cod fishery in Zone 1 has been reached. 
Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels using trawl gear in Zone 1 of the BSAI.
    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. 675.21 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: March 20, 1995.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-7233 Filed 3-20-95; 4:43 pm]
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