The National Marine Fisheries service (NMFS) is rescinding an action that reallocated Pacific cod among gear types in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) and that was effective November 26, 2003. NMFS also is establishing an action reallocating Pacific cod among gear types to reflect current fishing effort and update catch amounts, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
On November 26, 2003, NMFS reallocated the projected unused amount of Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) from vessels using trawl and jig to vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in the BSAI. Based on revised catch amounts, NMFS has determined that catcher vessels using trawl gear have already harvested all but 1,671 mt originally apportioned to them by the final 2003 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI. This reduces the projected unused amount available to catcher/processor vessels using hook-and-line gear by 4,113 metric tons (mt) and to vessels using pot gear by 216 mt. Therefore, we are rescinding the previous action and reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod as follows.
The following table summarizes the reallocation in metric tons:
| CURRENT SHARE | THESE ACTIONS | REVISED SHARE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific cod | |||
| Hook and Line gear | |||
| Catcher Processor | 77,911 | +15,932 | 93,843 |
| Pot gear | 17,822 | + 839 | 18,661 |
| Jig gear | 3,839 | - 3,600 | 239 |
| Trawl gear | |||
| Catcher Processor | 45,105 | -11,500 | 33,605 |
| Catcher Vessel | 45,105 | - 1,671 | 43,434 |
This action is necessary to allow the 2003 TAC of Pacific cod to be harvested and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7)(ii). This action does not imply any change in the status of the fisheries.
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 of the regulation in the Code of Federal Regulations.
