NEWS RELEASE (96-61)                    May 29, 1996          
Steven Pennoyer                         1:25 p.m.             
907-586-7221                            For Immediate Release 

            ISSUANCE OF REFUND CHECKS TO PROCESSORS WHO PAID
                 NORTH PACIFIC FISHERIES RESEARCH PLAN 
                             FEE ASSESSMENTS

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces that the
United States Treasury is issuing refund checks to processors
that paid Research Plan fee assessments, according to Steven
Pennoyer, Director, Alaska Region, NMFS.  

NMFS issued an interim final rule (61 FR 13782, March 28, 1996)
that described how Research Plan refund recipients were
identified, how the refunds were calculated, and how and when the
refund checks would be disbursed.

The United States Treasury mailed 331 refund checks to Research
Plan processors on May 28, 1996.  The total amount refunded,
including earned interest, was $5,802,279.12.  Upon receipt of a
refund check, processors are expected to disburse to fishermen
any amounts they collected from them for payment of Research Plan
fee assessments.

To obtain information concerning the Research Plan refund
procedure, consult the applicable regulation published in the
Federal Register.  Further assistance may be obtained by
contacting the Fisheries Management Division, NMFS, 907-586-7228.