[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 41 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 7755] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-4592] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 50 CFR Part 675 [Docket No. 960129019-6019-01; I.D. 022396D] Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Species in the Rock Sole/Flathead Sole/``Other Flatfish'' Fishery Category by Vessels Using Trawl Gear 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 rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' 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 first seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the trawl rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category in the BSAI. EFFECTIVE DATE: 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 26, 1996, until 12 noon, A.l.t., April 1, 1996. 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 allowance of Pacific halibut for the BSAI trawl rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category, which is defined at Sec. 675.21(b)(1)(iii)(B)(2), was established by the Final 1996 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish (61 FR 4311, February 5, 1996) as 453 metric tons. The Director, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance with Sec. 675.21(c)(1)(iii), that the first seasonal bycatch allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to the trawl rock sole/flathead sole/ ``other flatfish'' fishery in the BSAI has been caught. Therefore, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species in the rock sole/flathead sole/``other flatfish'' fishery category by vessels using trawl gear in the BSAI. Maximum retainable bycatch amounts 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: February 23, 1996. Donald J. Leedy, Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-4592 Filed 2-26-96; 11:25 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F