[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 174 (Friday, September 8, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46774-46775]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22278]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 950106003-5070-02; I.D. 090195A]


Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Inseason Actions Off California, 
Oregon, and Washington

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

ACTION: Inseason actions.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, on behalf of 
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes these 
inseason actions pursuant to IPHC regulations approved by the U.S. 
Government to govern the Pacific halibut fishery. These actions are 
intended to enhance the conservation of the Pacific halibut stock.

EFFECTIVE DATES: Area 2A non-treaty commercial fishery reopening 8 a.m. 
through 6 p.m., local time, August 29, 1995; north Washington coast 
sport fishery reopening 8 a.m., local time, September 3, 1995, through 
6 p.m., local time, September 4, 1995; Columbia River Area closure 6 
p.m., local time, September 30, 1995, through December 31, 1995; 
California coastal waters closure 6 p.m., September 30, 1995 through 
December 31, 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 
these inseason actions 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, these inseason 
actions are published in the Federal Register to provide additional 
notice of its effectiveness, and to inform persons subject to the 
inseason actions of the restrictions and requirements established 
therein.

Inseason Actions

1995 Halibut Landing Report Number 13

Area 2A Non-Treaty Commercial Fishery to Reopen
    The August 15 fishing period in Area 2A resulted in a catch of 
25,000 lb (11.3 metric tons (mt)). The revised total commercial catch 
from Area 2A to date is 73,000 lb (33.11 mt), leaving approximately 
32,000 lb (14.51 mt) to be taken.
    Area 2A will reopen on August 29 for 10 hours from 8 a.m. to 6 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.

                                                                        

[[Page 46775]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Vessel class                     Fishing period limit
---------------------------------------------------         (lb)        
                                                   ---------------------
                 Length                    Letter    Dressed,   Dressed,
                                                     head-on   head-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.
North Washington Coast Sport Fishery to Reopen
    The North Washington Coast (waters west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line 
and south to the Queets River) sport halibut fishery will reopen for 2 
days, September 3 and 4, 1995. Approximately 7,000 lb (3.17 mt) of the 
71,410 lb (32.20 mt) quota remain to be harvested. Catch and effort 
during previous openings on July 1 and July 29 were low, allowing an 
additional opening. The daily bag limit will be one halibut per person, 
with no size limit. All other published sport fishery regulations, 
including the closed area southwest of Cape Flattery, will be in 
effect.

Columbia River Area

    This area (Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon) remains open 7 days a 
week with a one fish daily bag limit and a minimum size limit of 32 
inches (12.59 centimeters (cm)). Approximately 1,200 lb (.54 mt) of a 
4,617 lb (2.09 mt) catch limit has been harvested. All reported 
landings have occurred in WA. This fishery will close September 30, 
1995, or when the catch limit is reached, whichever occurs earlier.

California Coastal Waters

    Coastal waters from the Oregon-California border remain open 7 days 
per week with a daily bag limit of one halibut and a minimum size limit 
of 32 inches (12.59 cm). This area will close for the year on September 
30, 1995.

    Dated: September 1, 1995.

Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-22278 Filed 9-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-W