The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in the Bering Sea subarea by "open access" vessels, i.e. those vessels that are not fishing in cooperatives, which are catching pollock for processing by the inshore component. This prohibition is effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), July 29, 2000, until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 2000, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the amount of the C/D season allocation of pollock total allowable catch specified for the vessels not participating in cooperatives in this area and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii).
After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable bycatch amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
This information bulletin provides notice of a regulatory change. Do not rely upon it to guide you in complying with the regulatory change.
IB 00-69: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pollock by "Open Access" in Bering Sea Subarea
July 27, 2000 - 4:30 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
