[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 5, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46067]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-21948]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 082895A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Cod with Jig and Pot 
Gear for Processing by the Inshore Component in the Central Regulatory 
Area

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod with jig and pot gear for processing by the 
inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). This action is necessary to use the total allowable catch (TAC) 
for Pacific cod in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1, 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)(B), the allocation of 
Pacific cod for the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA was established by the Final 1995 Harvest Specifications of 
Groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995) as 41,085 metric tons (mt). 
The directed fishery for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod 
for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area 
of the GOA was closed under Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii) on March 22, 1995, in 
order to reserve amounts anticipated to be needed for incidental catch 
in other fisheries (60 FR 15521, March 24, 1995). NMFS has determined 
that as of August 8, 1995, 4,313 mt remain unharvested.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1995 TAC 
for Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA has not been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for 
Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the 
inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. All other 
closures remain in full force and effect.
    This action opens the directed fishery for Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod with jig and pot gear for processing by the 
inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Directed 
fishing for groundfish with hook-and-line and trawl gear is currently 
prohibited (60 FR 26694, May 18, 1995; 60 FR 37600, July 21, 1995; 60 
FR 37601, July 21, 1995).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 672.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: August 29, 1995.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-21948 Filed 8-30-95; 3:43 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F