[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 144 (Thursday, July 27, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38519-38520]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18420]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 072095B]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; ``Other Rockfish'' in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the 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 the retention of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catches of ``other rockfish'' 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 ``other rockfish'' total 
allowable catch (TAC) in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has 
been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 21, 
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 TAC for ``other 
rockfish'' in the Central Regulatory Area was established by the final 
1995 harvest specifications of groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 14, 
1995) as 370 metric tons (mt).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(c)(3), that the TAC for ``other rockfish'' in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, 

[[Page 38520]]
NMFS is requiring that further catches of ``other rockfish'' in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in 
accordance with Sec. 672.20(e).

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 21, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18420 Filed 7-21-95 4:36pm]
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