[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 235 (Thursday, December 5, 1996)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 64487-64488] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-30969] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 960129018-6018-01; I.D. 120296A] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Closure. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS is closing the directed fishery for groundfish by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for directed fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA that remain open to directed fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the 1996 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for trawl gear in the GOA has been caught. EFFECTIVE DATE: 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 2, 1996, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1996. 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 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 subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The Final 1996 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the GOA (61 FR 4304, February 5, 1996) established the 1996 Pacific halibut PSC limit for vessels using trawl gear at 2,000 metric tons (mt). The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, has determined, in accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(7)(i), that vessels engaged in directed fishing for groundfish with trawl gear in the GOA [[Page 64488]] have caught the 1996 Pacific halibut PSC limit. Therefore, NMFS is closing the directed fishery for groundfish by vessels using trawl gear in the GOA, except for directed fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA that remain open to directed fishing for pollock. Classification This action is taken under 50 CFR 679.21 and is exempt from OMB review under E.O. 12866. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: December 2, 1996. Gary Matlock, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-30969 Filed 12-2-96; 2:05 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F