[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 93 (Wednesday, May 14, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 26429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12619]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 961107312-7021-02; I.D. 050797A]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Yellowfin 
Sole by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is opening directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels 
using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area 
(BSAI). This action is necessary to fully utilize the second seasonal 
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the trawl yellowfin 
sole fishery category in the BSAI.

DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 9, 1997, 
through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1997.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive 
economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management 
Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
Area (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.
    Directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in 
the BSAI was prohibited on April 29, 1997 (62 FR 24058, May 2, 1997) to 
prevent exceeding the second seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific 
halibut apportioned to that fishery.
    The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined that as of 
May 3, 1997, 20 metric tons of halibut mortality remain in the second 
seasonal bycatch allowance. Therefore, NMFS is terminating the previous 
closure and is opening directed fishing for yellowfin sole by vessels 
using trawl gear in the BSAI. The third seasonal bycatch allowance of 
yellowfin sole by vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI becomes 
available on May 11, 1997.
    All other closures remain in full force and effect.
Classification
    This action is required by Sec. 675.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: May 8, 1997.
Gary C. Matlock,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-12619 Filed 5-9-97; 1:29 pm]
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