[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 140 (Friday, July 21, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 37601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18012]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

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


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the 
Western 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 closing the directed fishery for Pacific ocean perch 
(POP) in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This 
action is necessary to prevent exceeding the total allowable catch 
(TAC) for POP in the Western Regulatory Area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 20, 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 TAC for POP in the 
Western Regulatory Area was established by the Final 1995 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995) as 1,014 
metric tons (mt).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the TAC for 
POP in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA soon will be reached. 
Therefore, the Regional Director has established a directed fishing 
allowance of 914 mt, with consideration that 100 mt will be taken as 
incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA. The Regional Director has determined that 
the directed fishing allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for POP in the Western Regulatory Area of 
the GOA.
    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. 95-18012 Filed 7-18-95; 3:33 pm]
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