The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is rescinding an existing closure to all commercial groundfish fishing with trawl gear in critical habitat designated for the endangered western population of Steller sea lions and substituting the existing closure according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. The new closure prohibits only commercial fishing for Pacific cod in the same designated areas until December 31, 2000.
This action is consistent with a recent court order dissolving an injunction that was the basis for the rescinded closure. Also, this action is consistent with a biological opinion issued by NMFS on November 30, 2000. This biological opinion concluded that the fisheries for Pacific cod, pollock, and Atka mackerel, as currently prosecuted, jeopardize the continued existence of the endangered western population of Steller sea lions and adversely modify its critical habitat. Commercial fisheries for pollock and Atka mackerel are not included in this closure because other regulatory requirements prohibit fisheries for those species through December 31, 2000.
This information bulletin provides notice of a regulatory change. Do not rely upon it to guide you in complying with the regulatory change.
IB 00-101: NMFS Announces a Revision to the Critical Habitat Closure to all Commercial Groundfish Fishing with Trawl Gear
December 14, 2000 - 1:00 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
