[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 24800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11542]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 95020641-5041-01; I.D. 050495B]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Cod in the Western 
Regulatory Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska (GOA) for processing by the offshore component. NMFS is 
requiring that catches of Pacific cod by these vessels in the Western 
Regulatory Area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and 
discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary 
because the allocation of Pacific cod specified for the offshore 
component in this area has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 5, 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), the allocation of Pacific 
cod total allowable catch (TAC) for the offshore component in the 
Western Regulatory Area, GOA, was established by the final 1995 
groundfish specifications (60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995), as 2,010 
metric tons (mt).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(c)(3), that the allocation of Pacific cod TAC 
specified for the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area, 
GOA, has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further 
catches of Pacific cod by operators of vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the offshore component in the Western Regulatory Area in 
the GOA, be treated as prohibited species in accordance with 
Sec. 672.20(e)(4).

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: May 5, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-11542 Filed 5-5-95; 3:14 pm]
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