[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 193 (Thursday, October 5, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24707]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 675

[Docket No. 950206040-5040-01; I.D. 092895A]


Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pacific 
Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

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

ACTION: Allocation.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear 
to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear and trawl gear in the Bering 
Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is 
necessary to promote the goals and objectives of the North Pacific 
Fishery Management Council.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 4, 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 BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Area (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 675.
    In accordance with Sec. 675.20 (a)(7)(ii), the Pacific cod total 
allowable catch (TAC) for the BSAI was established by the final 1995 
harvest specifications of groundfish (60 FR 8479, February 14, 1995) 
and increased by an apportionment from the reserve (60 FR 32278, June 
21, 1995) to 250,000 metric tons (mt). Pursuant to Sec. 675.20 
(a)(2)(iv)(A) and (a)(3)(iv), 5000 mt was allocated to vessels using 
jig gear.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that vessels 
using jig gear will not harvest 4,000 mt of Pacific cod by the end of 
the year. Therefore, in accordance with Sec. 675.20(a)(2)(iv)(C), NMFS 
is reallocating 45 percent and 55 percent of the unused amount of 
Pacific cod allocated to vessels using jig gear to vessels using hook-
and-line or pot gear and to vessels using trawl gear, respectively. The 
apportionment of the unused BSAI Pacific cod jig allocation is as 
follows: To vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear - 1,800 mt, and to 
vessels using trawl gear - 2,200 mt. Pursuant to Sec. 675.20 
(a)(3)(iv), the 1995 Pacific cod TAC is allocated as follows: (1) To 
vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear - 111,800 mt, (2) to vessels 
using trawl gear - 137,200 mt, and (3) to vessels using jig gear - 
1,000 mt.

Classification

    This action is taken under Sec. 675.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: September 29, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-24707 Filed 10-4-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F