The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating the projected unused amounts of 650 metric tons (mt) of Pacific cod from vessels using jig, 500 mt of Pacific cod from trawl catcher vessels, and 230 mt of Pacific cod from catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line gear to the annual amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
The following table summarizes the reallocation in metric tons:
Pacific Cod | CURRENT SHARE | THIS ACTION | REVISED SHARE |
Jig Gear | 748 | -650 | 98 |
Catcher Vessels >=60 Feet LOA Using Hook-and-Line Gear |
241 | -230 | 11 |
Trawl Catcher Vessels | 26,807 | -500 | 26,307 |
Catcher Vessels < 60 Feet LOA Using Hook-and-Line or Pot Gear | 3,360 | +1,380 | 4,740 |
This action is necessary to allow the 2023 total allowable catch of Pacific cod in the BSAI to be harvested and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A) and 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(C). 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.