[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 3332-3333] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-1906] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 672 [Docket No. 951120272-5272-01; I.D. 012696A] Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 61 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 61 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the interim specification for pollock in this area. EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 28, 1996, until superseded by the final 1996 specifications. 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 [[Page 3333]] 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 50 CFR parts 620 and 672. The interim specification of pollock total allowable catch in Statistical Area 61 was established by Interim 1996 Harvest Specifications (60 FR 61492, November 30, 1995) as 6,125 metric tons (mt), determined in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(1)(ii)(A). The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Director), has determuined, in accordance with Sec. 672.20(c)(2)(ii), that the 1996 interim specification of pollock in Statistical Area 61 soon will be reached. The Regional Director established a directed fishing allowance of 5,925 mt, and has set aside the remaining 200 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 61 until superseded by the Final 1996 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish in the Federal Register. Maximum retainable bycatch amounts for applicable gear types may be found in the regulations at Sec. 672.20(g). Classification This action is taken under 50 CFR 672.20 and is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 26, 1996. Richard H. Schaefer, Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-1906 Filed 1-26-96; 3:28 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-M