IB 04-12: NMFS Announces The February 29, 2004 Season Opening of the Sablefish Fixed Gear Fisheries Managed Under The Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the February 29, 2004, season opening of the sablefish fixed gear fisheries managed under the IFQ program. The season will open at 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 29, 2004, and will close 1200 hrs, A.l.t., November 15, 2004. This period is the same as the 2004 IFQ and Community Development Quota season for Pacific halibut announced by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

The IPHC announcement of the 2004 Pacific halibut season can be found on the IPHC website. 

This method of season announcement was selected to facilitate coordination between the sablefish season, chosen by the Administrator, Alaska Region, and the halibut season, chosen by the IPHC. This action is taken pursuant to 50 CFR 679.23(g)(1).

This information bulletin provides notice that a season opening has occurred. 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.