[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 173 (Thursday, September 7, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 46572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22081]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 672 and 675

[I.D. 083095A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Groundfish Fishery of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Extension of Allocations to 
Inshore and Offshore Components

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

ACTION: Notice of availability of fishery management plan amendments; 
request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has 
submitted Amendment 38 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the 
Groundfish Fishery to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area and 
Amendment 40 of the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. These 
amendments would extend through December 31, 1998, the authority to 
allocate pollock and Pacific cod for processing by the inshore and 
offshore components of the industry and continue the Western Alaska 
Community Development Quota (CDQ) program. This action is necessary to 
continue for an additional 3-year period the allocations of pollock and 
Pacific cod for processing by inshore and offshore components, as well 
as the CDQ program. The Council intends these amendments to promote 
management and conservation of groundfish, enhance stability in the 
fisheries, and further the goals and objectives contained in the FMPs 
that govern these fisheries. Comments are requested from the public. 
Copies of the proposed FMP amendments may be obtained from the Council 
(see ADDRESSES).

DATES: Comments on the proposed amendments must be submitted by October 
30,1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed FMP amendments must be submitted to 
Ronald J. Berg, Chief, Fisheries Management Division, Alaska Region, 
NMFS, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99801, or P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668, Attention: Lori J. Gravel. Copies of the proposed 
amendments and the Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Impact Review/
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis prepared for the amendments may 
be obtained from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, P.O. Box 
103136, Anchorage, AK 99510.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay Ginter, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Magnuson Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson Act) requires that each Regional Fishery 
Management Council submit any fishery management plan or plan amendment 
it prepares to NMFS for review and approval, disapproval, or partial 
disapproval. The Magnuson Act also requires that NMFS, upon reviewing 
the plan or amendment, immediately publish a notice that the plan or 
amendment is available for public review and comment. NMFS will 
consider the public comments received during the comment period in 
determining whether to approve the amendment.
    Proposed Amendments 38 and 40 would extend through 1998 the 
provisions of Amendment 18 to the FMP for the Groundfish Fishery of the 
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area and Amendment 23 to the FMP for 
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. Amendments 18 and 23 are scheduled to 
expire at the end of 1995. The Council voted unanimously at its June 
1995 meeting to extend the provisions of the expiring Amendments 18 and 
23 through December 31, 1998, under Amendments 38 and 40. The only 
significant change would be to move the western border of the Catcher 
Vessel Operational Area 30 minutes longitude to the east, from 
168 deg.00' to 167 deg.30' W. long. The intent of the Council is to 
promote management and conservation of groundfish, enhance stability in 
the fisheries, and further the goals and objectives contained in the 
FMPs that govern these fisheries during the period of time the Council 
is developing its comprehensive plan for improving the Alaska 
groundfish and crab fisheries.
    NMFS will consider the public comments received during the comment 
period in determining whether to approve the proposed amendments. The 
proposed regulations are scheduled to be published within 15 days of 
this document's publication.

    Dated: August 30, 1995.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-22081 Filed 8-31-95; 4:34 pm]
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