The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting retention of longnose skate in the Western Regulatory Area (between 159 degrees and 170 degrees W. longitudes) of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, November 24, 2010, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary because the 2010 total allowable catch of longnose skate in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(2).
NMFS is requiring that longnose skate caught 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 in the Code of Federal Regulations.
IB 10-117: NMFS Prohibits Retention of Longnose Skate in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
November 23, 2010 - 1:00 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
