The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating 17,692 metric tons (mt) of Pacific cod from vessels using trawl gear to vessels using pot gear and catcher processor vessels using hook-and-line gear. NMFS is also reallocating 1,611 mt of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear to catcher processor vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area according to Doug Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
The following table summarizes the reallocation in metric tons:
| PACIFIC COD | CURRENT SHARE | THIS ACTION | REVISED SHARE |
| Hook and Line gear Catcher Processors | 77,344 | +18,675 | 96,019 |
| Pot Gear Catcher Processor Catcher Vessel | 3,190 14,502 | + 162 + 736 | 3,352 15,238 |
| Jig Gear | 1,811 | - 1,611 | 200 |
| Trawl Gear Catcher Processor Catcher Vessel | 44,779 44,779 | -9,273 - 8,689 | 35,506 36,090 |
This action is necessary to allow the 2005 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7)(ii). This action does not imply any change in the status of the fisheries.
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.
