The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) from vessels using jig gear, catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear, and catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels less than 50 feet length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear, catcher vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet LOA using hook-and-line gear, vessels using pot gear, and catcher/processors using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), 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/Processors using Hook-and-Line Gear | 308 | - 40 | 268 |
| Catcher Vessels < 50 feet LOA using Hook-and-Line Gear | 880 | + 110 | 990 |
| Catcher Vessels >= 50 feet LOA using Hook-and-Line Gear | 404 | + 12 | 416 |
| Jig Vessels | 61 | - 60 | 1 |
| Pot Vessels | 1,676 | + 111 | 1,787 |
| Catcher/Processors using Trawl Gear | 253 | + 447 | 700 |
| Catcher Vessel using Trawl Gear | 2,275 | - 580 | 1,695 |
This action is necessary to allow the 2018 TAC of Pacific cod in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(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.
