IB 10-106: NMFS Prohibits Retention of Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands by Vessels Participating in the Amendment 80 Limited Access Fishery

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) by vessels participating in the Amendment 80 limited access fishery, effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, November 9, 2010, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary because the 2010 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to Amendment 80 limited access vessels in the BSAI has been reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(2).

NMFS is requiring that Pacific cod caught in the BSAI by A80 limited access vessels 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 in the Code of Federal Regulations.