[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48672-48673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23348]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 950106003-5070-02; I.D. 091495A]


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.

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SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, on behalf of 
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes this 
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.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Area 2A non-treaty commercial fishery reopening 8 a.m. 
through 6 p.m., local time, September 12, 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 14

Area 2A Non-treaty Commercial Fishery To Reopen
    The August 29 fishing period in Area 2A resulted in a catch of 
20,000 lb (9.07 metric tons (mt)). The revised total commercial catch 
from Area 2A to date is 93,000 lb (42.18 mt), leaving approximately 
12,000 lb (5.44 mt) to be taken.
    Area 2A will reopen on September 12 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.

                                                                                                                

[[Page 48673]]
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                                  Vessel class                                       Fishing period limit (lb)  
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                                                                                  Dressed, head-  Dressed, head-
                          Length                                   Letter               on            off\1\    
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0-25......................................................  A...................             225             200
26-30.....................................................  B...................             225             200
31-35.....................................................  C...................             225             200
36-40.....................................................  D...................             530             465
41-45.....................................................  E...................             570             500
46-50.....................................................  F...................             675             595
51-55.....................................................  G...................             755             665
56+.......................................................  H...................           1,135          1,000 
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\1\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: September 14, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-23348 Filed 9-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-W