[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 91 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 25149] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-11578] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 675 [Docket No. 95026040-5040-01; I.D. 050595C] Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Hook-and-Line Gear AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the entire Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) to directed fishing with hook-and-line gear for Pacific cod. This action is necessary because U.S. fishing vessels participating in the Pacific cod hook-and-line fishery in the BSAI have caught the second seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut. EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 7, 1995, until 12 noon, A.l.t., September 1, 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 (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 second seasonal 1995 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance for the hook-and-line Pacific cod fishery, which is defined at Sec. 675.21(b)(2)(ii)(A), is 40 metric tons (60 FR 12149, March 6, 1995. The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance with Sec. 675.21(d), that U.S. fishing vessels participating in the Pacific cod hook-and-line fishery in the BSAI have caught the second seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut. Therefore, NMFS is closing the entire BSAI to directed fishing with hook-and-line gear for Pacific cod. 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 675.21 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: May 5, 1995. Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 95-11578 Filed 5-5-95; 4:24 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P