[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 81 (Thursday, April 27, 1995)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 20658] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-10298] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 50 CFR Part 675 [Docket No. 950206040-5040-01; I.D. 042195C] Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Trawl Pacific Cod Fishery AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for Pacific cod by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the first seasonal apportionment of the 1995 prohibited species bycatch mortality allowance of Pacific halibut specified for the trawl Pacific cod fishery in the BSAI. EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 24, 1995, until 12 noon, A.l.t., October 25, 1995. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew N. Smoker, 907-586-7228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone is managed by NMFS according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (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 675. The first seasonal bycatch mortality allowance of Pacific halibut for the BSAI trawl Pacific cod fishery, which is defined at Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(E), was established as 1,450 metric tons by the final 1995 specifications of groundfish (60 FR 8479, February 14, 1995). The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance with Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(iii), that the first seasonal apportionment of the Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance for the trawl Pacific cod fishery has been caught. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI. Directed fishing standards for applicable gear types may be found in the regulations at Sec. 675.20(h). Classification This action is taken under Sec. 675.21 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 21, 1995. Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 95-10298 Filed 4-24-95; 9:16 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F