[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 18 (Friday, January 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2457-2458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1425]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 951120272-5272-01; I.D. 012296A]

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 63

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in 
Statistical Area 63 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is 
necessary to prevent exceeding the interim specification for pollock in 
this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 23, 1996, 
until superseded by the final 1996 specifications in the Federal 
Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 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.
    The interim specification of pollock total allowable catch in 
Statistical Area 63 was established by Interim 1996 Harvest 
Specifications (60 FR 61492, November 30, 1995) as 3,250 metric tons 
(mt), determined in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(A).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has 
determined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the 1996 
interim specification of pollock in Statistical Area 63 soon will be 
reached. The Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance 
of 3,050 mt, and has set aside the remaining 200 mt as bycatch to 
support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. Consequently, NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 63, until 
superseded by the Final 1996 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish in 
the Federal Register.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be 
found in the regulations at Sec. 672.20(g) and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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.


[[Page 2458]]

    Dated: January 22, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-1425 Filed 1-23-96; 4:40 pm]
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