[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-8945]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
50 CFR Part 672

[Docket No. 931199-4042; I.D. 040894B]

 

Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska

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

ACTION: Closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod by vessels 
catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the 
Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring 
that catches of Pacific cod by these vessels 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 
allocation of Pacific cod specified for the inshore component in this 
area has been reached.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 9, 1994, 
until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, Resource Management 
Specialist, Fisheries Management Division, NMFS, (907) 586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive 
economic zone is managed by the Secretary of Commerce according to the 
Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA (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(c)(1)(ii), the allocation of Pacific 
cod Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for the inshore component in the 
Central Regulatory Area, GOA, was established by the final 1994 
groundfish specifications (59 FR 7647, February 16, 1994), as 28,125 
metric tons.
    The Director of the Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in 
accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(3), that the allocation of Pacific cod 
TAC specified for the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area, 
GOA, has been reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that further 
catches of Pacific cod by operators of vessels catching Pacific cod for 
processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area in 
the GOA, be treated as prohibited species in accordance with 
Sec. 672.20(e), effective from 12 noon, A.l.t., April 9, 1994, until 12 
midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1994.

Classification

    This action is taken under 50 CFR 672.20.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 672

    Fisheries, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

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

    Dated: April 8, 1994.
David S. Crestin,
Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, 
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 94-8945 Filed 4-8-94; 5:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P