IB 00-82: NMFS Opens the Pacific Cod Fishery for Trawl Catcher Vessels in the BSAI

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in portions of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area, effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, September 1, 2000, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary to fully utilize the portion of the 2000 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in this area.

All other closures remain in full force and effect, including the prohibition on all groundfish trawling within Steller sea lion critical habitat in the exclusive economic zone west of 144 degrees W. longitude.

This information bulletin provides notice of a regulatory change. Do not rely upon it to guide you in complying with the regulatory change.