[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 135 (Friday, July 14, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17271]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 070795D]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Shortraker/Rougheye Rockfish in 
the Eastern Gulf of Alaska

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 the shortraker/rougheye 
rockfish species group in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that catches of the shortraker/rougheye 
rockfish species group in this 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 shortraker/rougheye rockfish species 
group total allowable catch (TAC) in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the 
GOA has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 9, 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 the Groundfish Fishery 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 TAC for the 
shortraker/rougheye rockfish species group in the Eastern Regulatory 
Area of the GOA was established by the final 1995 harvest 
specifications of groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995), as 530 
metric tons.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(c)(3), that the TAC for the shortraker/rougheye 
rockfish species group in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA has 
been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further catches of the 
shortraker/rougheye rockfish species group in the Eastern Regulatory 
Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with 
Sec. 672.20(e).

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: July 10, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-17271 Filed 7-10-95; 4:52 pm]
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