The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels 60 feet length overall (LOA) and longer and catcher processor vessels using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, March 27, 2001, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season apportionment of the 2001 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to vessels using pot gear in this area and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii). Catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using either hook-and-line or pot gear are still allowed to harvest Pacific cod until further notice.
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 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.
IB 01-33: NMFS Closes the Pacific Cod Fishery for Vessels 60 Feet LOA and Longer and Catcher Processors Using Pot Gear in the BSAI
March 22, 2001 - 4:00 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
