The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting retention of longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, July 12, 2023, according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary because the 2023 total allowable catch of longnose skates in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(2).
NMFS is requiring that longnose skates in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and be discarded at sea with a minimum of injury.
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.
