On June 23, 2000, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) extended for an additional 180 days, two emergency interim rules that implement the requirements of the American Fisheries Act (AFA), according to Jim Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. This action extends the emergency interim rule containing AFA permit requirements for vessels, processors, and cooperatives participating in the Bering Sea pollock fishery until December 24, 2000; and extends the emergency interim rule containing AFA- related management measures including sideboard restrictions for other fisheries until January 16, 2001.
This action also establishes a one-time application deadline of December 1, 2000 for all AFA vessel and processor permits. Applications for AFA vessel or processor permits will not be accepted after this date and any vessels or processors for which an application has not been received by this date will be permanently ineligible to receive AFA permits.
Finally, this action makes final C/D season allocations of Bering Sea subarea pollock total allowable catch to each inshore sector catcher vessel cooperative and to the open access sector of the inshore pollock fishery.
The bulletin provides notice that a regulatory change has occurred. Do not rely on it to guide you in compliance with the regulatory changes. The texts of both emergency interim rules and the Federal Register notice extending both emergency interim rules are available on the NMFS Alaska Region home page.
IB 00-53: NMFS Extends AFA Emergency Interim Rules, Establishes a December 1, 2000 Deadline for AFA Permit Applications, and Issues Inshore Sector C/D Season Pollock TAC Specifications
Notice of a fishery management action.