[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 92 (Friday, May 12, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 25623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11734]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 050895A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Shallow-Water Fishery

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise 
the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except directed fishing for pollock by vessels 
using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA that remain open 
to directed fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the 
second seasonal allowance of Pacific halibut prohibited species catch 
(PSC) trawl limit apportioned to the shallow-water species complex in 
the GOA has been caught.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 8, 1995, until 
12 noon, A.l.t., July 1, 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(f)(3)(i), the shallow-water species 
fishery, which is defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(i)(B)(1), was 
apportioned 100 mt of Pacific halibut PSC for the second season, the 
period April 1, 1995, through 12 noon, A.l.t., July 1, 1995 (60 FR 
8470, February 14, 1995).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(i), that vessels participating in the trawl 
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA have caught the second 
seasonal allowance of Pacific halibut PSC apportioned to that fishery. 
Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for each species and 
species group that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by 
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except directed fishing for 
pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the 
GOA that remain open to directed fishing for pollock. The species and 
species groups that comprise the shallow-water species fishery are: 
Pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka 
mackerel, and ``other species.''

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 8, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-11734 Filed 5-8-95; 5 pm]
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