IB 02-29: NMFS Closes the Directed Fishing for Species in the Rock Sole/Flathead Sole/ Fishery Category by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the BSAI

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for rock sole, flathead sole, and "other flatfish" by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 20, 2002 until 12 noon A.l.t., June 30, 2002, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of the 2002 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rock sole/flathead sole/"other flatfish" fishery category and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.21(e)(7)(v). "Other flatfish" includes Alaska plaice.

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.