The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating 2,900 metric tons (mt) of Pacific cod from the annual apportionment for catcher vessels using trawl gear and vessels using jig gear to the annual amount specified for catcher/processors using pot gear and catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear 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 | 34,660 | - 2,500 | 32,160 |
Vessels using jig gear | 559 | - 400 | 159 |
Catcher/Processors using pot gear | 2,410 | + 335 | 2,745 |
Catcher vessels < 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear | 6,235 | +2,565 | 8,800 |
This action is necessary to allow the 2019 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7). 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.