The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock by vessels greater than 99 feet LOA catching pollock for processing by the inshore component in the critical habitat/catcher vessel operation area (CH/CVOA) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, February 24, 1999, according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary because the A2 season limit of pollock total allowable catch specified for the inshore component for harvest within the CH/CVOA will be reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(A)&(C)(2).
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 99-23: NMFS Closing Inshore Pollock A2 Critical Habitat/Catcher Vessel Operation Area of the BSAI Management Area
February 23, 1999 - 10:00 a.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
