[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 144 (Thursday, July 27, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18432]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 663

[Docket No. 941265-4365; I.D. 071995B]


Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; End of Whiting Regular Season

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

ACTION: Fishing restrictions.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the end of the regular season for the Pacific 
whiting (whiting) fishery off Washington, Oregon, and California and 
the reimposition of a 10,000-lb (4,536-kg) trip limit coastwide. This 
action is authorized by the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management 
Plan that governs the harvest of groundfish in the U.S. exclusive 
economic zone off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. 
This action is intended to keep landings close to the 1995 harvest 
guideline for whiting, while allowing small quantities to be landed by 
fresh fish and bait fisheries and as bycatch in other fisheries.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective from 0001 hours (local time), July 24, 1995, 
until the effective date of the 1996 annual specifications and 
management measures, which will be published in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this action should be sent to Mr. William 
Stelle, Jr., Director, Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 
98115-0070; or Ms. Hilda Diaz-Soltero, Director, Southwest Region, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, 
Long Beach, CA 90802-4213. Information relevant to these actions has 
been compiled in aggregate form and is available for public review 
during business hours at the office of the Director, Northwest Region, 
NMFS (Regional Director).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William L. Robinson 206-526-6140; or 
Rodney R. McInnis 310-980-4040.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At its October 1994 meeting, the Pacific 
Fishery Management Council (Council) recommended that a 10,000-lb 
(4,536-kg) trip limit apply to landings of whiting after the end of the 
regular season (when the harvest guideline is reached) (60 FR 2339, 
January 9, 1995). At-sea processing of whiting was prohibited on May 4, 
1995 (60 FR 24572, May 9, 1995) when 107,000 metric tons (mt) (60 
percent of the 178,400 mt harvest guideline) was projected to have been 
taken (102,624 mt for at-sea processing and 3,932 mt for shore-based 
processing). The remaining 71,844 mt of the harvest guideline was 
reserved for delivery to shore-based processors.
    Based on the best available information on current and projected 
rates of landings, the Regional Director has determined that 
approximately 168,346 mt of whiting has been caught through July 16, 
1995, and that at a rate of about 1,200 mt delivered shoreside per day, 
the 178,400 mt harvest guideline would be reached on July 24, 1995. 
Therefore, the regular season ends and the 10,000-lb (4,536-kg) trip 
limit for whiting resumes at 0001 hours (local time), July 24, 1995. 
Because at-sea processing of whiting is prohibited, this trip limit 
applies only to vessels delivering shoreside. The trip limit is 
intended to accommodate small bait and fresh fish markets and the 
bycatch of whiting in other fisheries.

NMFS Action

    NMFS announces the following change to the 1995 fishery 
specifications and management measures for whiting published at 
paragraph IV.F.(1)(b) (60 FR 2343, January 9, 1995) as follows:
    (b) No more than 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) of whiting may be taken and 
retained, possessed, or landed, per vessel per fishing trip.

Classification

    The determination to take this action is based on the most recent 
data available. The aggregate data upon which the determination is 
based are available for public inspection at the office of the Regional 
Director (see ADDRESSES) during business hours. This action was 
recommended by the Council at its October 1994 meeting, and was 
announced in the annual specifications and management measures on 
January 9, 1995 (60 FR 2331). There was an opportunity for public 
comment at the August and October 1994 Council meetings. Supporting 
documents (catch projections) were available for public inspection 
prior to, and at, the June 1995 Council meeting. Because of the need 
for immediate action, and because the public had an opportunity to 
comment on the action at Council meetings, NMFS has determined that 
good cause exists for this action to be published without affording a 
prior opportunity for public comment or a 30-day delayed effectiveness 
period. This action is taken under the authority of 50 CFR 663.23(b)(3) 
and (c)(1)(i)(I), and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.

    Dated: July 21, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18432 Filed 7-24-95; 11:55 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F