[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 6, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5228]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 030196B]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Cod for Processing by 
the Inshore Component

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 for 
processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of 
the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding 
the allocation of Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component 
in the Western Regulatory Area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 2, 1996, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1996.

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 processing by the inshore component in the Western 
Regulatory Area was established by the Final 1996 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR 4304, February 5, 1996) as 16,965 
metric tons (mt).
    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 processing by the 
inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area soon will be reached. 
The Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance of 
15,965 mt, with consideration that 1,000 mt will be taken as incidental 
catch in directed fishing for other species in the Western 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 vessels catching Pacific cod for processing 
by the inshore component in the Western 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: March 1, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-5228 Filed 3-1-96; 2:35 pm]
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