[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 44 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 10222-10223] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-5541] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 961126334-7025-02; I.D. 022897E] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska, Pacific Cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the allocation of Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. EFFECTIVE DATES: 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 3, 1997, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Pearson, 907-486-6919. 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- Stevens 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 final specification of the allocation of Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA was established by the Final 1997 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (62 FR 8179, February 24, 1997) as 17,442 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(iii). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the ITAC for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 17,142 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 300 mt as [[Page 10223]] bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Western Regulatory Area. Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20 (e) and (f). Classification This action is required by 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: March 3, 1997. Bruce Morehead, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-5541 Filed 3-3-97; 3:10 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P