The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is opening the Chiniak Gully Research Area to directed fishing for groundfish by vessels using trawl gear effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, September 11, 2004, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. The rulemaking process has been completed to open the Chiniak Gully Research Area prior to September 20.
The Chiniak Gully Research Area was closed to trawl fisheries from August 1 through September 20 in 2001 through 2004, to support research by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) on the effects of the pollock fishery on pollock abundance and distribution. The AFSC concluded research on September 8, 2004, therefore, pursuant to 50 CFR 679.22(b)(3)(ii)(B), NMFS is opening the Chiniak Gully Research Area.
This action removes an unnecessary restriction on the trawl fishing industry and facilitates the full harvest of the total allowable catch amounts in the Gulf of Alaska.
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.
IB 04-81: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Shallow-Water Species by Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Gulf of Alaska
September 10, 2004 - 12:30 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
