The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod total allowable catch from jig vessels, trawl catcher vessels, and American Fisheries Act (AFA) catcher/processors to catcher vessels less than 60 feet length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) 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
Jig Vessels 249 - 100 149
Catcher Vessels 40,227 - 2,200 38,027
Using Trawl Gear
AFA Catcher/Processors 4,186 - 158 4,028
Catcher Vessels 6,290 + 2,458 8,748
Less than 60 Feet LOA Using
Hook-and-line or Pot Gear
This action is necessary to allow the 2018 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.
