[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 147 (Tuesday, August 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 39153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18850]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 950106003-5070-02; I.D. 072695A]


Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Area 2A Non-treaty Commercial Fishery 
Reopening

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

ACTION: Inseason action.

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

SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, on behalf of 
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes an 
inseason action pursuant to IPHC regulations approved by the U.S. 
Government to govern the Pacific halibut fishery. This action is 
intended to enhance the conservation of the Pacific halibut stock in 
order to help sustain it at an adequate level in the northern Pacific 
Ocean and Bering Sea.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 8:00 a.m., through 6:00 p.m., local time, July 18, 
1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Pennoyer, 907-586-7221; William 
W. Stelle, Jr., 206-526-6140; or Donald McCaughran, 206-634-1838.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IPHC, under the Convention between the 
United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut 
Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (signed at Ottawa, 
Ontario, on March 2, 1953), as amended by a Protocol Amending the 
Convention (signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979), has issued 
this inseason action pursuant to IPHC regulations governing the Pacific 
halibut fishery. The regulations have been approved by NMFS (60 FR 
14651, March 20, 1995). On behalf of the IPHC, this inseason action is 
published in the Federal Register to provide additional notice of its 
effectiveness, and to inform persons subject to the inseason action of 
the restrictions and requirements established therein.

Inseason Action

1995 Halibut Landing Report Number 9

Area 2A Non-treaty Commercial Fishery to Reopen
    The July 5 fishing period in Area 2A resulted in a catch of 9.07 
metric tons (mt) (20,000 lb), leaving 32.22 mt (71,052 lb) in the 
commercial catch limit. Although 350 commercial licenses were issued in 
Area 2A, very few vessels participated in the July 5th opening, 
resulting in a low catch. The total catch limit remaining, including 
the ``rolled-over'' amount from the salmon troll fishery, is 387.89 mt 
(85,157 lb).
    Area 2A will reopen on July 18 for 10 hours from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 
p.m. local time. The fishery is restricted to waters that are south of 
Point Chehalis, WA (46 deg.53'18'' N. lat.) under regulations 
promulgated by NMFS. Fishing period limits as indicated in the 
following table will be in effect for this opening.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Vessel class                        Fishing period  
-----------------------------------------------------     limit (lb)    
                                                     -------------------
                                                                Dressed,
                 Length                     Letter    Dressed,    head- 
                                                       head-on    off*  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-25....................................  A                225       200
26-30...................................  B                240       210
31-35...................................  C                380       335
36-40...................................  D              1,050       925
41-45...................................  E              1,130       995
46-50...................................  F              1,350     1,190
51-55...................................  G              1,510     1,330
56+.....................................  H              2,275     2,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Weights are after 2 percent has been deducted for ice and slime if fish
  are not washed prior to weighing.                                     

    The appropriate vessel length class and letter is printed on each 
halibut license.
    The fishing period limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-off 
weight as well as dressed, head-on weight, although fishermen are 
reminded that regulations require that all halibut from Area 2A be 
landed with the head on.
    The fishing period limit applies to the vessel, not the individual 
fisherman, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to 
forfeiture and fine.

    Dated: July 26, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18850 Filed 7-31-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-W