[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 77 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 17256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9712]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 041296C]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Deep-water Species Fishery by 
Vessels using Trawl Gear

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 species that comprise 
the deep-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf 
of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal 
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the deep-water 
species fishery in the GOA has been caught.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 15, 1996, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., July 1, 1996.

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.
    In accordance with Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(i) the deep-water species 
fishery, which is defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(i)(B)(2) was apportioned 
300 mt of Pacific halibut prohibited species catch for the second 
season, the period April 1, 1996, through June 30, 1996 (61 FR 4304, 
February 5, 1996).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(i), that vessels participating in the trawl 
deep-water species fishery in the GOA have caught the second seasonal 
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to that fishery. 
Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for each species and 
species group that comprise the deep-water species fishery by vessels 
using trawl gear in the GOA. The species and species groups that 
comprise the deep-water species fishery are: all rockfish of the genera 
Sebastes and Sebastolobus, Greenland turbot, Dover sole, Rex sole, 
arrowtooth flounder, and sablefish.
    After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable 
bycatch amounts, calculated using the retainable percentages at 
Sec. 672.20(g), apply at any time during a trip.

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: April 15, 1996.
Richard H. Schaefer,
Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-9712 Filed 4-16-96; 3:34 pm]
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