The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is opening directed fishing for shallow-water species by vessels using trawl gear in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) for 48 hours effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 14, 2011, through 1200 hrs, A.l.t., September 16, 2011, according to James W. Balsiger, Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary to fully use the fourth seasonal apportionment of the 2011 Pacific halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl shallow-water species fishery in of the GOA. Other closures remain in full force and effect.
The species and species groups that comprise the shallow-water species fishery are pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, skates, and “other species.” This prohibition does not apply to fishing for pollock by vessels using pelagic trawl gear in those portions of the GOA open to directed fishing for pollock. This inseason action does not apply to vessels fishing under a cooperative quota permit in the cooperative fishery in the Rockfish Program for the Central GOA.
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.
