[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 8, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56255-56256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27579]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 950206041-5041-01; I.D. 110195A]


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: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing 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 use the total allowable catch (TAC) for Pacific cod in 
this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), November 7, 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.
    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(B), the allocation of 
Pacific cod for the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of 
the GOA was established by the final 1995 harvest specifications of 
groundfish (60 FR 8470, February 14, 1995) as 41,085 metric tons (mt). 
The directed fishery for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod 
for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory 

[[Page 56256]]
Area of the GOA was closed under Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii) in order to 
reserve amounts anticipated to be needed for incidental catch in other 
fisheries (60 FR 53714, October 17, 1995). NMFS has determined that as 
of October 21, 1995, 650 mt remain unharvested.
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that the 1995 TAC 
for Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has not been 
reached. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is 
opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific 
cod for processing by the inshore
    component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. All other 
closures remain in full force and effect.
    This action opens the directed fishery for Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod with jig or pot gear for processing by the inshore 
component in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Directed fishing 
for groundfish with hook-and-line and trawl gear is currently 
prohibited (60 FR 26694, May 18, 1995; 60 FR 37600, July 21, 1995; 60 
FR 54818, October 26, 1995).

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: November 2, 1995.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-27579 Filed 11-7-95; 8:45 am]
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