[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 105 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27025-27026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13474]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 301

[Docket No. 960111003-6068-03; I.D. 052196B]


Pacific Halibut Fisheries; 1996 Halibut Landing Report No. 1

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

ACTION: Inseason action.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA, on behalf of 
the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes these 
inseason actions pursuant to IPHC regulations approved by the U.S. 
Government to govern the Pacific halibut fishery. This action is 
intended to enhance the conservation of the Pacific halibut stock.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Non-treaty commercial fishing period for Area 2A: 8 
a.m. through 6 p.m., Pacific local time, July 10, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Pennoyer, 907-586-7221; William 
W. Stelle, Jr., 206-526-6140; or Donald McCaughran, 206-634-1838.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The IPHC, under the Convention between the 
United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut 
Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (signed at Ottawa, 
Ontario, on March 2, 1953), as amended by a Protocol Amending the 
Convention (signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979), has issued 
this inseason action pursuant to IPHC regulations governing the Pacific 
halibut fishery. The regulations have been approved by NMFS (60 FR 
14651, March 20, 1995, and amended at 61 FR 11337, March 20, 1996). On 
behalf of the IPHC, this inseason action is published in the Federal 
Register to provide additional notice of its effectiveness, and to 
inform persons subject to the inseason action of the restrictions and 
requirements established therein.

Inseason Action

1996 Halibut Landing Report No. 1

Non-treaty Commercial Fishing Period Limits in Area 2A

    The Commission has determined that fishing period limits will be 
required during the 10-hour, July 10 non-treaty directed commercial 
fishing period in Area 2A to avoid exceeding the 91,052 pound (41.90 
metric tons (mt)) catch limit. The July 10 fishing period will begin at 
8:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. The fishery is restricted to waters that 
are south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46 deg.53'18'' N. latitude) 
under regulations promulgated by National Marine Fisheries Service. 
Fishing period limits as indicated in the following table will be in 
effect for this opening.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Vessel class                 Fishing period limit (pounds)    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Length           Letter       Dressed, head-on    Dressed, head-off
---------------------------------------------------------------*--------
 0-25...........            A                  285                 250  
26-30...........            B                  360                 315  
31-35...........             C                 575                 505  
36-40...........            D                1,580               1,390  
41-45...........            E                1,700               1,495  
46-50...........            F                2,035               1,790  
51-55...........            G                2,265               1,995  
56+  ...........            H                3,410              3,000   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Weights are after 2 percent has been deducted for ice and slime if    
  fish are not washed prior to weighing.                                


[[Page 27026]]


    The appropriate vessel length class and letter is printed on each 
vessel license.
    The fishing period limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-off 
weight as well as dressed, head-on weight, although fishermen are 
reminded that regulations require that all halibut from Area 2A be 
landed with the head on.
    The fishing period limit applies to the vessel, not the individual 
fisherman, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to 
forfeiture and fine.

Northwest Treaty Tribes Fishery in Area 2A

    Northwest treaty Indian tribes were allocated a total allowable 
catch of 182,000 pounds (82.55 mt) in subarea 2A-1 (northern Washington 
coast) in 1996. Of this total, 14,000 pounds (6.35 mt) are reserved for 
ceremonial and subsistence purposes, leaving 168,000 pounds (76.20 mt) 
for the commercial fishery.
    As of April 1, 1996, the total commercial catch in subarea 2A-1 was 
166,000 pounds (75.29 mt). A restricted commercial fishery occurred 
March 15 to April 1, producing 12,000 pounds (5.44 mt). Two directed 
commercial fishing periods produced a total of 154,000 pounds (69.85 
mt). A decision whether to reopen subarea 2A-1 to catch the 2,000 
pounds (0.90 mt) remaining in the catch limit will be made later.

Area 2B Commercial Fishery Update

    Halibut landings from Area 2B total 3.0 million pounds (1,360.79 
mt) through May 6, leaving 6.52 million pounds (2,957.45 mt) of the 
catch limit to be caught. The fishery will continue until all 
Individual Vessel Quotas have been filled, or November 15, whichever is 
earlier.

Annette Island Reserve Fishery in Area 2C

    The Metlakatla Indian community has been authorized by the United 
States Government to conduct a commercial halibut fishery within the 
Annette Island Reserve. One 48-hour fishing period occurred between 
April 27-29, producing a total catch of 3,050 pounds (1.38 mt).

Alaskan Commercial Fishery Update

    It is estimated that the following catches and number of landings 
were made in the Alaskan Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fishery through 
May 1, 1996. No Community Development Quota landings have been made.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Catch limit    Catch (000's       No. of    
                              Area                                (000's pounds)      pounds)        landings   
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2C..............................................................           9,000           2,354             603
3A..............................................................          20,000           3,786             493
3B..............................................................           3,700             215              35
4A..............................................................           1,950              26               4
4B..............................................................           2,310              13               1
4C..............................................................             770               0               0
4D..............................................................             770               0               0
4E..............................................................             120               0               0
                                                                                                                
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................................          38,620           6,394           1,136
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    During the same time period in 1995, March 15 through May 2, 2.5 
million pounds (11,339.92 mt) were landed in the Alaskan IFQ fishery.

    Dated: May 23, 1996.
Richard W. Surdi,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-13474 Filed 5-29-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-W