[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 91 (Thursday, May 9, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 21104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-11547]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 050396C]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pacific cod in the Western 
Regulatory Area

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that 
catches of Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area be treated in the 
same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum 
of injury. This action is necessary because the total allowable catch 
(TAC) of Pacific cod in this area has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 5, 1996, until 
12 midnight A.l.t., December 31, 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(c)(1)(ii)(B), the TAC for Pacific 
cod in the Western Regulatory Area was established by the Final 1996 
Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR 4304, February 5, 1996) as 
18,850 metric tons (mt).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(c)(3), that the TAC for Pacific cod in the Western 
Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is 
requiring that further catches of Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory 
Area of the GOA be treated as prohibited species in accordance with 
Sec. 672.20(e).

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: May 3, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-11547 Filed 5-3-96; 4:47 pm]
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