[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 193 (Thursday, October 5, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52128-52129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24784]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950509041-5041-01; I.D. 100295A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 62 
of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Modification of closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is changing the date on which directed fishing for 
pollock is prohibited in Statistical Area 62 of the Gulf of Alaska 
(GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the fourth 
quarterly allowance of total allowable catch (TAC) for pollock in this 
area.


[[Page 52129]]

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 2, 1995, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t, December 31, 1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew 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 GOA (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.
    The 1995 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 62 was established by the 
final 1995 harvest specifications of groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 
14, 1995) as 15,310 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with 
Sec. 672.20(a)(2)(iv). As of September 16, 1995, the remaining pollock 
TAC for Statistical Area 62 is 3,079 mt.
    NMFS announced a prohibition of directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 62 effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), 
October 4, 1995, until 12 midnight, A.l.t, December 31, 1995 (60 FR 
50503, September 29, 1995). Current information shows the catching 
capacity of vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore 
component is capable of exceeding the remaining TAC in Statistical Area 
62 by more than 2,000 mt.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the 1995 fourth quarterly allowance of 
pollock TAC in Statistical Area 62 will be taken by 12 noon, Alaska 
local time (A.l.t.), October 2, 1995. Therefore, the Regional Director 
is terminating the previous closure at 60 FR 50503. The Regional 
Director has established a directed fishing allowance of 2,679 mt after 
determining that 400 mt will be taken as incidental catch in directed 
fishing for other species in Statistical Area 62 of the GOA. 
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 62 effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), 
October 2, 1995.
    After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable 
bycatch amounts at Sec. 672.20(g) apply at any time during a trip.

Classification

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

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

    Dated: October 2, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-24784 Filed 10-2-95; 1:06 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F