The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (≥ 18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 28, 2008, through 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 2008, according to Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2008 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to catcher vessels ≥ 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear in the BSAI and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii).
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.
IB 08-93: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall and Longer Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
August 26, 2008 - 1:00 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
