[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 125 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33386-33387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16375]


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

[[Page 33387]]


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 061996A]


Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Western 
Regulatory Area

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

ACTION: Modification of a closure.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS is opening the directed fishery for Atka mackerel in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) to allow a 24-hour 
directed fishery. This action is necessary to fully utilize the total 
allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in that area.

EFFECTIVE DATES: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 1, 1996, 
until 12 noon, A.l.t., July 2, 1996, the directed fishery for Atka 
mackerel in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is open; and 
effective 12 noon A.l.t. July 2, 1996, until 12 midnight, A.l.t. 
December 31, 1996, the directed fishery for Atka mackerel in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is closed.

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 Subpart H of 50 CFR 
part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20 (c)(3)(ii), the annual TAC for Atka 
mackerel in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA, was established by 
the Final 1996 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR 4304, 
February 5, 1996) as 2,310 metric tons (mt). The Final 1996 Harvest 
Specifications of Groundfish also closed the directed fishery for Atka 
mackerel in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. See 
Sec. 679.20(a)(8).
    The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), in 
accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1), has determined that the TAC of Atka 
mackerel in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is sufficient to 
allow a directed fishery. Therefore, NMFS is opening the directed 
fishery for Atka mackerel in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA at 
12 noon, A.l.t., July 1, 1996. A directed fishing allowance of 2,110 mt 
is established with consideration that 200 mt will be taken as 
incidental catch in directed fishing for other species in the Western 
Regulatory Area
    In accordance with Sec. 679.20 (d)(1)(iii), the Regional Director 
has determined that the directed fishing allowance for Atka mackerel in 
the Western Regulatory Area will be reached within a 24-hour directed 
fishery for Atka mackerel. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed 
fishing for Atka mackerel in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA at 
12 noon, A.l.t., July 2, 1996.
    Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be 
found in the regulations at Sec. 679.20(e).

Classification

    This action is taken under Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review 
under E.O. 12866.

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

    Dated: June 21, 1996.
Donald J. Leedy,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 96-16375 Filed 6-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F