[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 53 (Monday, March 18, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 10901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6388]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 031296E]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific Cod for Processing by 
the Offshore 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 offshore 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 offshore component in the Central 
Regulatory Area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 13, 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 offshore component in the Central 
Regulatory Area was established by the Final 1996 Harvest 
Specifications for Groundfish (61 FR 4304, February 5, 1996) as 4,290 
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 
offshore component in the Central Regulatory Area soon will be reached. 
The Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance of 3,290 
mt, with consideration that 1,000 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 vessels catching Pacific cod for processing 
by the offshore 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: March 12, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-6388 Filed 3-13-96; 1:49 pm]
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