[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 146 (Monday, July 29, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 39362-39363] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-19207] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 50 CFR Part 300 [Docket No. 960111003-6068-03; I.D. 072496A] International Fisheries Regulations; 1996 Halibut Report No. 5 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Inseason action. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: Area 2A Non-treaty Commercial Fishery Reopening: 8:00 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), July 24, 1996, until 6:00 p.m. PDT, July 24, 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. [[Page 39363]] Inseason Action 1996 Halibut Report No. 5 Incidental Commercial Halibut Catch in the Area 2A Salmon Troll Fishery The total allowable incidental commercial catch of halibut allocated to the salmon troll fishery was 16,068 lb (7.28 metric tons (mt)). The salmon troll fishery closed June 30 with an estimated halibut catch of 8,002 lb (3.62 mt). The remaining catch of 8,066 lb (3.65 mt) is added to the directed commercial catch limit. Area 2A Non-treaty Commercial Fishery to Reopen on July 24 The July 10 fishing period in Area 2A resulted in a catch of about 70,000 lb (31.75 mt), leaving 21,052 lb (9.54 mt) in the commercial catch limit. The total catch limit remaining, including the additional amount from the salmon troll fishery, is 29,118 (13.20 mt). Area 2A will reopen on July 24 for 10 hours from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time. The fishery is restricted to waters that are south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46 deg.53 deg.18'' N. lat.) under regulations promulgated by NMFS. Fishing period limits as indicated in the following table will be in effect for this opening. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vessel class Fishing period ----------------------------------------------------- limit (pounds) ------------------- Dressed, Length Letter Dressed, head- head-on off* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0-25............................... A 225 200 26-30.............................. B 225 200 31-35.............................. C 285 250 36-40.............................. D 790 695 41-45.............................. E 850 750 46-50.............................. F 1,020 895 51-55.............................. G 1,135 1,000 56+................................ H 1,705 1,500 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * Weights are after 2% has been deducted for ice and slime if fish are not washed prior to weighing. The appropriate vessel length class and letter is printed on each halibut 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. Area 2B Commercial Fishery Update Halibut landings from Area 2B total 5.57 million lb (2,526.53 mt) through July 11, leaving 3.95 million lb (1,791.70 mt) of the catch limit to be caught. The fishery will continue until all 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 U.S. Government to conduct a commercial halibut fishery within the Annette Island Reserve. Six 48-hour fishing periods occurred between April 27 and July 7, producing a total catch of 43,837 lb (19.88 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) and Community Development Quota (CDQ) fisheries through July 10, 1996. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Catch limit Catch Number Area (000's (000's of pounds) pounds) landings ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2C...................................... 9,000 5,529 1,640 3A...................................... 20,000 10,071 1,465 3B...................................... 3,700 1,278 182 4A...................................... 1,950 616 72 4B...................................... 2,310 677 120 4C...................................... 770 428 280 4D...................................... 770 346 37 4E...................................... 120 118 507 ------------------------------- Total............................. 38,620 19,063 4,303 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ During the same time period in 1995, March 15 through July 14, 13.56 million lb (6,150.77 mt) were landed in the Alaskan IFQ and CDQ fisheries. Dated: July 24, 1996. Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-19207 Filed 7-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P