21104 Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 91 / Thursday, May 9, 1996 / Rules and Regulations

counts toward the cumulative limit,

remains at 300 lb (136 kg).’’

Classification

These actions are authorized by the

FMP, which governs the harvest of

groundfish in the U.S. exclusive

economic zone off the coasts of

Washington, Oregon, and California.

The determination to take these actions

is based on the most recent data

available. The aggregate data upon

which the determinations are based are

available for public inspection at the

office of the Regional Director (see

ADDRESSES) during business hours.

Because of the need for immediate

action to reduce the harvest of

shortspine thornyheads, and because

the public had an opportunity to

comment on the action at the April 1996

Council meeting, NMFS has determined

that good cause exists for this document

to be published without affording a

prior opportunity for public comment or

a 30-day delayed effectiveness period.

These actions are taken under the

authority of 50 CFR 663.23(c)(1)(i)(E),

(G), and (L), and are exempt from review

under E.O. 12866.

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

Dated: May 2, 1996.

Richard W. Surdi,

Acting Director, Office of Fisheries

Conservation and Management, National

Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 96–11546 Filed 5–3–96; 4:47 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 960129018–6018–01; I.D.

050396C]

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska;

Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory

Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention

of Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory

Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS

is requiring that catches of Pacific cod

in the Western Regulatory Area be

treated in the same manner as

prohibited species and discarded at sea

with a minimum of injury. This action

is necessary because the total allowable

catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in this area

has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local

time (A.l.t.), May 5, 1996, until 12

midnight A.l.t., December 31, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mary Furuness, 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.

In accordance with

§ 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(B), the TAC for Pacific

cod in the Western Regulatory Area was

established by the Final 1996 Harvest

Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR

4304, February 5, 1996) as 18,850 metric

tons (mt).

The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS,

has determined, in accordance with

§ 672.20(c)(3), that the TAC for Pacific

cod in the Western Regulatory Area of

the GOA has been reached. Therefore,

NMFS is requiring that further catches

of Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory

Area of the GOA be treated as

prohibited species in accordance with

§ 672.20(e).

Classification

This action is taken under 50 CFR

672.20 and is exempt from review under

E.O. 12866.

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

Dated: May 3, 1996.

Richard W. Surdi,

Acting Director, Office of Fisheries

Conservation and Management, National

Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 96–11547 Filed 5–3–96; 4:47 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 960129018–6018–01; I.D.

050396B]

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska;

Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory

Area

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),

Commerce.

ACTION: Closure.

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention

of Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory

Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS

is requiring that catches of Pacific cod

in the Central Regulatory Area be

treated in the same manner as

prohibited species and discarded at sea

with a minimum of injury. This action

is necessary because the total allowable

catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in this area

has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local

time (A.l.t.), May 5, 1996, until 12

midnight A.l.t., December 31, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mary Furuness, 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.

In accordance with

§ 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(B), the TAC for Pacific

cod in the Central Regulatory Area was

established by the Final 1996 Harvest

Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR

4304, February 5, 1996) as 42,900 metric

tons (mt).

The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS,

has determined, in accordance with

§ 672.20(c)(3), that the TAC for Pacific

cod in the Central Regulatory Area of

the GOA has been reached. Therefore,

NMFS is requiring that further catches

of Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory

Area of the GOA be treated as

prohibited species in accordance with

§ 672.20(e).

Classification

This action is taken under 50 CFR

672.20 and is exempt from review under

E.O. 12866.

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

Dated: May 3, 1996.

Richard W. Surdi,

Acting Director, Office of Fisheries

Conservation and Management, National

Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 96–11548 Filed 5–3–96; 4:47 pm]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F