[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 234 (Wednesday, December 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64298-64299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30886]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 960502124-6190-02; I.D. 112796B]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Scallop 
Fishery; Closure in District 16 of Registration Area D

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the scallop fishery in District 16 of Scallop 
Registration Area D (Yakutat). This action is necessary to prevent 
exceeding the scallop total allowable catch (TAC) in this area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), 
November 29, 1996, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Smoker, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The scallop fishery in the exclusive 
economic zone off Alaska is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery off Alaska (FMP) prepared by 
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the 
Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Fishing for scallops 
is governed by regulations appearing at 50 CFR parts 600 and 679.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.62(b), the 1996 scallop TAC for 
District 16 of Scallop Registration Area D was established by the Final 
1996 Harvest Specifications of Scallops (61 FR 38099, July 23, 1996) as 
27,000 lb (12,247 kg) shucked meat.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in 
accordance with Sec. 679.62(c), that the scallop TAC for District 16 of 
Scallop Registration Area D has been reached. Therefore,

[[Page 64299]]

NMFS is prohibiting the taking and retention of scallops in District 16 
of Scallop Registration Area D from 1200 hrs, A.l.t., November 29, 
1996, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1996.

Classification

    This action is taken under Sec. 679.62 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: November 27, 1996.
Gary Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-30886 Filed 11-29-96; 2:52 pm]
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