The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting retention of longnose skate in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, September 20, 2017, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary because the 2017 total allowable catch of longnose skate in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will be reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(2).
NMFS is requiring that longnose skate in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and be discarded at sea with a minimum of injury.
This information bulletin only provides notice of a fishery management action. For the purposes of complying with any requirements of this action, you are advised to see the actual text of the action in the Federal Register.
