IB 01-15: NMFS Closing Hook-and-Line Gear in the GOA

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) except for sablefish and demersal shelf rockfish in the Southeast Outside District, effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 26, 2001, until 1200 hrs, A.l.t., May 17, 2001, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary because the first seasonal bycatch mortality allowance of Pacific halibut apportioned to hook-and-line gear targeting groundfish other than sablefish and demersal shelf rockfish in the Southeast Outside District has been caught and is issued pursuant to ? 679.21(d)(7)(ii).

Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f).

This information bulletin only provides notice of a regulatory change. For the purposes of complying with the regulatory change, you are advised to see the actual text in the Code of Federal Regulations.