The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels catching pollock for processing by the mothership component in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area, effective 12 midnight, Alaska local time, February 17, 1999, according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary because the A season interim pollock total allowable catch (TAC) specified for the mothership component for harvest within the Bering Sea subarea has been reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii).
After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable bycatch amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
This information bulletin provides notice that a regulatory change has occurred. Do not rely upon it to guide you in complying with the regulatory change.
IB 99-21: Closing Pollock for the Mothership Component in the Bering Sea at Midnight
February 16, 1999 - 4:00 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
