The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting retention of shortraker rockfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, November 16, 2021, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary because the 2021 total allowable catch of shortraker rockfish in the BSAI has been reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(2).
NMFS is requiring that shortraker rockfish in the BSAI be treated in the same manner as a prohibited species, as described under § 679.21(a), for the remainder of the year, except shortraker rockfish in the BSAI caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described in § 679.20(j).
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.