The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issues regulations to exempt groundfish catcher processors and motherships equipped with an operational vessel monitoring system (VMS) transmitter from check-in/check-out requirements, effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, October 16, 2008, according to Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
A catcher processor or mothership that is not carrying onboard an operational VMS transmitter that meets the VMS requirements of 50 CFR 679.28(f) must submit check-in/check-out reports. This action does not change the check-in/check-out report submission requirement for shoreside processors, stationary floating processors, and vessels fishing cooperative quota in the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Pilot Program.
This action reduces administrative costs for the fishing industry and NMFS and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.5(h).
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 08-107: NMFS Issues Regulations to Exempt Catcher Processors and Motherships with an Operational Vessel Monitoring System Transmitter from Check-In/Check-Out Requirements
September 16, 2008 - 3:00 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
