[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7917-7918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3458]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 941249-4349; I.D. 020695B]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in Area 62

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 terminating the closure to directed fishing for 
pollock in Statistical Area 62 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to allow a 
48-hour directed fishery. This action is necessary to fully utilize the 
total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock in that area.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 
8, 1995, the closure to directed fishing for pollock in Statistical 
Area 62 of the GOA is terminated and the fishery is reopened. Effective 
12 noon A.l.t., February 10, 1995, the closure to directed fishing for 
pollock in Statistical Area 62 of the GOA is reinstated and directed 
fishing is prohibited; this closure is effective until 12 noon, A.l.t., 
April 1, 1995, or until changed by subsequent notification in the 
Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 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 Gulf of Alaska (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 50 CFR parts 620 and 
672.
    The interim specification of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 62 
was established by interim specifications (59 FR 65975, December 22, 
1994) as 3,827 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with 
Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(A). The directed fishery for pollock in 
Statistical Area 62 of the GOA was closed under Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii) 
on January 24, 1995, (60 FR 5337, January 27, 1995). Therefore, NMFS is 
terminating the closure of January 24, 1995 (60 FR 5337, January 27, 
1995).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Director) in 
accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), has determined that the 
remaining interim specification of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 62 
is sufficient to allow a 48-hour directed fishery.
    As the interim specification of pollock TAC catch in Statistical 
Area 62 of the GOA will be reached before the end of the year, the 
Regional Director, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), 
established a directed fishing allowance of 3,627 mt, with 
consideration that 200 mt will be taken as incidental catch in directed 
fishing for other species in that area. The Regional Director has 
determined that the directed fishing allowance of pollock in Area 62 
will be reached within a 48-hour directed fishery. Consequently, NMFS 
is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 62 of 
the GOA, effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., February 10, 1995, until the 
end of the first quarter unless superseded by subsequent notification 
in the Federal Register.

Classification

    This action is taken under Sec. 672.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    [[Page 7918]] Dated: February 7, 1995.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 95-3458 Filed 2-7-95; 4:30 pm]
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