[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 83 (Monday, May 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 22646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8696]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 011206293-3182-02; I.D. 042605F]


Pacific Halibut Fishery; Guideline Harvest Levels for the Guided 
Recreational Halibut Fishery

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

ACTION: Notice of guideline harvest level.

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SUMMARY: NMFS provides notice of the guideline harvest level (GHL) for 
the guided sport halibut fishery (charter fishery) in the International 
Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) regulatory area 2C of 1,432,000 
pounds (649.5 mt), and a GHL in the IPHC regulatory area 3A of 
3,650,000 pounds (1,655.6 mt). The GHLs are intended to serve as a 
benchmark for participants in the charter fishery.

DATES: The GHLs are effective beginning 1200 hrs, Alaska local time 
(A.l.t.), February 1, 2005, and will close at 2400 hours, A.l.t., 
December 31, 2005. This period is specified by the IPHC as the sport 
fishing season in all waters of Alaska.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glenn Merrill, 907 586 7228, or email 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS implemented a final rule to establish 
GHLs in IPHC regulatory areas 2C and 3A for the harvest of Pacific 
halibut (Hippoglosses stenolepis) by the charter fishery on August 8, 
2003 (68 FR 47256). The GHLs are intended to serve as a benchmark for 
participants in the charter fishery.
    This announcement is consistent with 50 CFR 300.65(i)(2), which 
requires that GHLs for IPHC regulatory areas 2C and 3A be specified by 
NMFS and announced by publication in the Federal Register no later than 
30 days after receiving information from the IPHC which establishes the 
constant exploitation yield (CEY) for halibut in IPHC regulatory areas 
2C and 3A for that year. Based on the regulations at Sec.  
300.65(i)(1), the CEY established by the IPHC in 2005 in regulatory 
area 2C results in a GHL of 1,432,000 pounds (649.5 mt), and, in 
regulatory area 3A, results in a GHL of 3,650,000 pounds (1,655.6 mt).
    This notice is intended to serve as an announcement of the GHL's in 
Areas 2C and 3A for 2005. If a GHL is exceeded in 2005, based on 
information received from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, NMFS 
will notify the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) in 
writing within 30 days pursuant to regulations at Sec.  300.65(i)(3). 
The Council is not required to take action, but may recommend 
additional management measures after receiving notification that a GHL 
has been exceeded.

Classification

    This notice does not require any additional regulatory action by 
NMFS and does not impose any additional restrictions on harvests by the 
charter fishery. This process of notification is intended to provide 
the Council an indication of the level of harvests by the charter 
fishery in a given year and could be used to prompt future action.

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

    Dated: April 26, 2005.
Anne M. Lange
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-8696 Filed 4-29-05; 8:45 am]
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