IB 04-20: NMFS Closes Directed Fishing For Species in The Rock Sole/Flathead Sole/"Other Flatfish" Category By Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

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, February 24, 2004, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the interim 2004 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rock sole/flathead sole/"other flatfish" fishery category in the BSAI and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.21(e)(7)(v). "Other flatfish" includes Alaska plaice.

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.