The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by non-American Fisheries Act (AFA) crab vessels that are operating as catcher vessels (CVs) using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, December 10, 2018, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2018 Pacific cod sideboard limit apportioned to non-AFA crab vessels operating as catcher vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 680.22(e)(3).
After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
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.
