IB 04-17: NMFS Closes Directed Fishing For Pacific Cod By Catcher Vessels 60 Feet In Length Overall And Longer Using Pot Gear In The BSAI

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels 60 feet length overall and longer using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, February 15, 2004, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2004 interim total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to these vessels and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii).

After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable 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.