The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating the projected unused amount (2,850 metric tons) of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear and American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher processors (C/Ps) to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear, C/Ps using hook-and-line gear, and Amendment 80 (A80) C/Ps in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
The following table summarizes the reallocation in metric tons:
| Pacific Cod | Current Share | This Action | Revised Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear | 48,638 | -2,000 | 46,638 |
| AFA Trawl Catcher Processors | 4,666 | -850 | 3,816 |
| Catcher Vessels <60 Feet Using Hook-and-Line or Pot Gear | 8,674 | +2,000 | 10,674 |
| Catcher Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear | 108,983 | +550 | 109,533 |
| Amendment 80 Catcher Processors | 31,097 | +300 | 31,397 |
This action is necessary to allow the 2016 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(B). This action does not imply any change in the status of the fisheries.
This information bulletin only provides notice of a fishery management action. For the purposes of complying with the requirements of this action, you are advised to see the actual text of the action in the Federal Register.
