[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 17, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53714-53715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-25641]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 101195B]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Cod for Processing by 
the Inshore Component in the Central Regulatory Area

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for Pacific cod by 
vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in 
the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the allocation of Pacific cod for the 
inshore component in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 11, 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 GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (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.

[[Page 53715]]

    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(B), the allocation of 
Pacific cod for the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area 
was established by the Final 1995 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish 
(60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995) as 41,085 metric tons (mt). The inshore 
component fishery was previously closed (60 FR 15521, March 24, 1995). 
That closure was terminated on September 1, 1995 (60 FR 46067, 
September 5, 1995).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the 
allocation of Pacific cod total allowable catch for the inshore 
component in the Central Regulatory Area soon will be reached. The 
Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance of 39,585 
mt, with consideration that 1,500 mt will be taken as incidental catch 
in directed fishing for other species in the Central Regulatory Area. 
The Regional Director has determined that the directed fishing 
allowance has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing for Pacific cod by operators of vessels catching Pacific cod 
for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be 
found in the regulations at Sec. 672.20(g).

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 672.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: October 11, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-25641 Filed 10-11-95; 5:09 pm]
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