The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is adjusting the Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) amounts in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) according to Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the Pacific cod acceptable biological catch (ABC) in the BSAI and is consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI.
On March 1, 2006, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announced by emergency regulation, a Pacific cod guideline harvest level (GHL), west of 170 degrees west longitude in the Aleutian Islands subarea, equal to 3% of the Pacific cod ABC in the BSAI established in the final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10984, March 3, 2006). In accordance with 50 CFR 679.25(a)(1)(iii) and (2)(iv), the Regional Administrator adjusts the 2006 and 2007 Pacific cod TACs to account for the state waters GHL in the Aleutian Islands subarea.
The changes to tables 1, 2, 5, 12, and 14 of the 2006 and 2007 final harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (71 FR 10894, March 3, 2006) can be found here.
Fishermen are reminded that all actions and closures remain in full force and effect. This reallocation does not rescind or modify closures to directed fishing or actions prohibiting retention of a groundfish species.
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 06-31: Adjustment of the Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
March 14, 2006 - 4:00 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
