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, April 22, 2005, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the second seasonal apportionment of the 2005 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, as well as all other flatfish species except for Pacific halibut (a prohibited species), Greenland turbot, rock sole, yellowfin sole, flathead sole, and arrowtooth flounder.
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.
IB 05-37: NMFS Closes Directed Fishing for Rock Sole/Flathead Sole/ Other Flatfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
April 20, 2005 - 2:30 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
