NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the B season allowance of the pollock total allowable catch (TAC) for Statistical Area 620 of the GOA.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

This action corrects the Steller sea lion emergency interim rule, as amended, corrected, and extended, which contains regulations relating to Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska. This action also corrects the recordkeeping and reporting final rule and its correction. This action is necessary to reinstate appropriate applicability

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting retention of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). NMFS is requiring that catch of sablefish by vessels using trawl gear in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury. This action is necessary because the

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 60 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska Area [[Page 40681]]
(FMP). This action would prohibit the use of nonpelagic trawl gear in Cook Inlet. This action is necessary to address bycatch avoidance objectives in the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel with gears other than jig in the Eastern Aleutian District (Statistical Area (area) 541) and the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2002 total allowable catch (TAC) of

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the deepwater species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for vessels fishing for pollock using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the fourth seasonal apportionment

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2002 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels catching Pacific cod for processing by the

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues a final rule to implement Amendment 54 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, Amendment 54 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (Amendments 54/54), and an amendment to the Pacific halibut commercial fishery regulations for waters in and off Alaska. These

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS announces the opening directed fishing for sablefish with fixed gear managed under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. The season will open 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 18, 2002, and will close 1200 hrs, A.l.t., November 18, 2002. This period is the same as the 2002 IFQ and Community Development Quota season for Pacific

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues a final rule to extend the applicability date of the existing regulations for the interim North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (Observer Program), which otherwise expire December 31, 2002, through 2007. This final rule also amends regulations governing the Observer Program. These changes clarify and improve observer certification

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues a proposed rule to amend regulations governing the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (Observer program). This action is necessary to refine requirements for the facilitation of observer data transmission and improve support for observers. The proposed rule is intended to ensure continued timely transmission of highquality

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS issues a proposed rule to amend regulations governing the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (Observer Program). This action is necessary to refine observer coverage requirements and improve support for observers. The proposed rule is intended to ensure continued collection of high quality observer data to support the management

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is closing directed fishing 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 open to directed fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the 2002 Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Correction

In rule document 021875 beginning on page 4100 in the issue of Monday, January 28, 2002, make the following correction:

On page 4140, in the table, the second page of table 3 was inadvertently left out. The missing page of table 3 is corrected to read as set forth below.
[[Page 46025]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the deepwater species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the second seasonal apportionment of the 2002 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the deepwater species fishery in the GOA has been reached.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is notifying operators of registered vessels of their platoon assignments for the Atka mackerel fishery in harvest limit areas (HLA) in Statistical Area (area) 542 and/or 543 of the Aleutian Islands subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to allow the harvest of the A season HLA limits

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for species that comprise the shallowwater species fishery by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), except for vessels fishing for pollock using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. This action is necessary because the fourth seasonal

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting fishing with trawl gear in the Chum Salmon Savings Area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2002 limit of nonchinook salmon caught by vessels using trawl gear in the Catcher Vessel Operation Area (CVOA).

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is closing directed fishing 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 second seasonal apportionment of the 2002 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is closing directed fishing 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 apportionment of the 2002 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher processor vessels using hookandline gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2002 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated for catcher processor vessels using hookandline gear in this area.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for northern rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2002 total allowable catch (TAC) of northern rockfish in this area.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in the West YakutatDistrict of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the pollock total allowable catch (TAC) specified for the West Yakutat District in the GOA.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS proposes amendments to the regulations governing the halibut fishery under the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. The proposed amendments would increase the Regulatory Area (Area) 4E trip limit from 6,000 lb. (2.72 metric tons (mt)) to 10,000 lb. (4.54 mt) and modify the Area 4 Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) to allow CDQ

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the West Yakutat District of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2002 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in this area.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE : National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration