[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 1995)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 22306-22307] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-11068] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 50 CFR Part 675 [Docket No. 950206040-5040-01; I.D. 050195B] Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Greenland Turbot/Arrowtooth Flounder/Sablefish AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for species in the Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/sablefish fishery category by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1995 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance apportioned to the trawl Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/sablefish fishery category in the BSAI. EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 3, 1995, until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 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 1995 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance apportioned to the trawl Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/sablefish fishery category, which is defined at Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(C), was established as 120 metric tons by the 1995 final specifications (60 FR 8479, February 14, 1995). The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance with [[Page 22307]] Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(iii), that the 1995 bycatch mortality allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the trawl Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/sablefish fishery category in the BSAI has been caught. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for aggregate species in the Greenland turbot/arrowtooth flounder/ sablefish fishery category 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 50 CFR 675.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: May 1, 1995. Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 95-11068 Filed 5-1-95; 4:00 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F