The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting retention of “other rockfish” in the Central Regulatory Area (Statistical Areas 620 and 630, between 147 degrees and 159 degrees W. longitudes) of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, July 31, 2006, according to Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary because the 2006 total allowable catch of “other rockfish” in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(2). “Other rockfish” includes slope rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish.
NMFS is requiring that catches of “other rockfish” in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and discarded at sea with a minimum of injury.
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.
