[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 105 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27025-27026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13474]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 301
[Docket No. 960111003-6068-03; I.D. 052196B]
Pacific Halibut Fisheries; 1996 Halibut Landing Report No. 1
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Inseason action.
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, on behalf of
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes these
inseason actions pursuant to IPHC regulations approved by the U.S.
Government to govern the Pacific halibut fishery. This action is
intended to enhance the conservation of the Pacific halibut stock.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Non-treaty commercial fishing period for Area 2A: 8
a.m. through 6 p.m., Pacific local time, July 10, 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Pennoyer, 907-586-7221; William
W. Stelle, Jr., 206-526-6140; or Donald McCaughran, 206-634-1838.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IPHC, under the Convention between the
United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut
Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (signed at Ottawa,
Ontario, on March 2, 1953), as amended by a Protocol Amending the
Convention (signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979), has issued
this inseason action pursuant to IPHC regulations governing the Pacific
halibut fishery. The regulations have been approved by NMFS (60 FR
14651, March 20, 1995, and amended at 61 FR 11337, March 20, 1996). On
behalf of the IPHC, this inseason action is published in the Federal
Register to provide additional notice of its effectiveness, and to
inform persons subject to the inseason action of the restrictions and
requirements established therein.
Inseason Action
1996 Halibut Landing Report No. 1
Non-treaty Commercial Fishing Period Limits in Area 2A
The Commission has determined that fishing period limits will be
required during the 10-hour, July 10 non-treaty directed commercial
fishing period in Area 2A to avoid exceeding the 91,052 pound (41.90
metric tons (mt)) catch limit. The July 10 fishing period will begin at
8:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. The fishery is restricted to waters that
are south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46 deg.53'18'' N. latitude)
under regulations promulgated by National Marine Fisheries Service.
Fishing period limits as indicated in the following table will be in
effect for this opening.
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Vessel class Fishing period limit (pounds)
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Length Letter Dressed, head-on Dressed, head-off
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0-25........... A 285 250
26-30........... B 360 315
31-35........... C 575 505
36-40........... D 1,580 1,390
41-45........... E 1,700 1,495
46-50........... F 2,035 1,790
51-55........... G 2,265 1,995
56+ ........... H 3,410 3,000
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* Weights are after 2 percent has been deducted for ice and slime if
fish are not washed prior to weighing.
[[Page 27026]]
The appropriate vessel length class and letter is printed on each
vessel license.
The fishing period limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-off
weight as well as dressed, head-on weight, although fishermen are
reminded that regulations require that all halibut from Area 2A be
landed with the head on.
The fishing period limit applies to the vessel, not the individual
fisherman, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to
forfeiture and fine.
Northwest Treaty Tribes Fishery in Area 2A
Northwest treaty Indian tribes were allocated a total allowable
catch of 182,000 pounds (82.55 mt) in subarea 2A-1 (northern Washington
coast) in 1996. Of this total, 14,000 pounds (6.35 mt) are reserved for
ceremonial and subsistence purposes, leaving 168,000 pounds (76.20 mt)
for the commercial fishery.
As of April 1, 1996, the total commercial catch in subarea 2A-1 was
166,000 pounds (75.29 mt). A restricted commercial fishery occurred
March 15 to April 1, producing 12,000 pounds (5.44 mt). Two directed
commercial fishing periods produced a total of 154,000 pounds (69.85
mt). A decision whether to reopen subarea 2A-1 to catch the 2,000
pounds (0.90 mt) remaining in the catch limit will be made later.
Area 2B Commercial Fishery Update
Halibut landings from Area 2B total 3.0 million pounds (1,360.79
mt) through May 6, leaving 6.52 million pounds (2,957.45 mt) of the
catch limit to be caught. The fishery will continue until all
Individual Vessel Quotas have been filled, or November 15, whichever is
earlier.
Annette Island Reserve Fishery in Area 2C
The Metlakatla Indian community has been authorized by the United
States Government to conduct a commercial halibut fishery within the
Annette Island Reserve. One 48-hour fishing period occurred between
April 27-29, producing a total catch of 3,050 pounds (1.38 mt).
Alaskan Commercial Fishery Update
It is estimated that the following catches and number of landings
were made in the Alaskan Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fishery through
May 1, 1996. No Community Development Quota landings have been made.
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Catch limit Catch (000's No. of
Area (000's pounds) pounds) landings
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2C.............................................................. 9,000 2,354 603
3A.............................................................. 20,000 3,786 493
3B.............................................................. 3,700 215 35
4A.............................................................. 1,950 26 4
4B.............................................................. 2,310 13 1
4C.............................................................. 770 0 0
4D.............................................................. 770 0 0
4E.............................................................. 120 0 0
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Total....................................................... 38,620 6,394 1,136
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During the same time period in 1995, March 15 through May 2, 2.5
million pounds (11,339.92 mt) were landed in the Alaskan IFQ fishery.
Dated: May 23, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-13474 Filed 5-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-W