[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 140 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 37600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18010]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 071795A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Northern Rockfish in the 
Central Regulatory Area

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

ACTION: Closure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for northern rockfish in 
the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the northern rockfish total allowable 
catch (TAC) in the Central Regulatory Area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 18, 
1995, until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Sloan, 907-581-2062.

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 northern rockfish 
TAC for the Central Regulatory Area was established by the Final 1995 
Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995) as 
4,610 metric tons (mt).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the northern 
rockfish TAC in the Central Regulatory Area soon will be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Director has established a directed fishing 
allowance of 4,210 mt, with consideration that 400 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 northern rockfish 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 Sec. 672.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: July 17, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18010 Filed 7-18-95; 3:33 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F