[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 46570] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-22512] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 082796B] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1996 pollock total allowable catch (TAC) in this area. EFFECTIVE DATE: 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 3, 1996, until 2400 hrs, 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 GOA (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 subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 1996 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 was established by the Final 1996 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR 4304, February 5, 1996) as 13,680 metric tons (mt). (See Sec. 679.20(c)(3).) The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has determined, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1), that the 1996 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 has been reached. The Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance of 12,080 mt, and has set aside the remaining 1,600 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630. Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(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: August 29, 1996. Gary C. Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-22512 Filed 8-29-96; 4:30 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F