[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 96 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24729-24730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12338]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 051096D]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Shallow-Water Species Fishery 
by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

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[[Page 24730]]

SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise 
the shallow-water species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for vessels fishing for pollock using 
pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed 
fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the second 
seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the 
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA has been caught.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 13, 1996, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., July 1, 1996.

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 
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 Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(i) the shallow-water species 
fishery, which is defined at Sec. 672.20(f)(1)(i)(B)(1) was apportioned 
100 mt of Pacific halibut prohibited species catch for the second 
season, the period April 1, 1996, through June 30, 1996 (61 FR 4304, 
February 5, 1996).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance 
with Sec. 672.20(f)(3)(i), that vessels participating in the trawl 
shallow-water species fishery in the GOA have caught the first seasonal 
bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to that fishery. 
Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for each species and 
species group that comprise the shallow-water species fishery by 
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except for vessels fishing for 
pollock using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to 
directed fishing for pollock. The species and species groups that 
comprise the shallow-water species fishery are: pollock, Pacific cod, 
shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, and ``other 
species.''
    After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable 
bycatch amounts, calculated using the retainable percentages at 
Sec. 672.20(g), apply at any time during a trip.

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 13, 1996.
Donald J. Leedy,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12338 Filed 5-13-96; 3:38 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F