The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing by non American Fisheries Act crab vessels in the GOA for all species and specified areas set out in Tables 15 and 16 of the 2006 and 2007 harvest specification for groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska, with the exception of Pacific cod in the Western and Central GOA, effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 3, 2006, though 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2007, according to Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
Fishermen are reminded that all actions and closures remain in full force and effect. This includes the closures for the 2006 A season Western and Central GOA inshore Pacific cod fisheries.
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the total allowable catch amounts for species listed in Tables 15 and 16 and is pursuant to 50 CFR 680.22(e)(2).
Tables 15 and 16 can be found here.
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.
