IB 05-22: NMFS Closes the Pacific Cod Fishery for Catcher Vessels less than 60 Feet Length Overall Using Jig or Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bogoslof Pacific Cod Exemption Area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, March 10, 2005, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the limit of Pacific cod for catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof Pacific cod exemption area in the BSAI and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(1) and (2).

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.