Fishermen should rely on the site locations in Table 21 to 50 CFR part 679 for compliance with no-transit zones designed for Steller sea lion protection, according to Jim Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. Although the preamble to the recent emergency rule that implemented Steller sea lion protection measures (66 FR 7276; January 22, 2001) indicated that site locations for no-transit zones originate in 50 CFR part 223, the site locations in Table 1 to that part have not been updated and contain erroneous information. Therefore, the more accurate site locations in Table 21 to 50 CFR part 679 should be used to determine the proper location of no-transit zones, as well as the location of other sites closed for Steller sea lion protection. Fishermen are also advised that some closures for Steller sea lion protection are not listed in Table 21 to 50 CFR part 679. These closures can be found at 50 CFR ยง679.22.
This information bulletin provides clarification of a regulatory change.
