The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area, and is opening fishing with trawl gear in Steller sea lion critical habitat in the Central Aleutian District for species open to directed fishing.
These actions are effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, March 1, 1999, according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1999 interim harvest specification of Atka mackerel in this area and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii) and 50 CFR 679.22(a)(8)(iii)(C).
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 99-26: NMFS Closes Atka Mackerel in the Central Aleutian Islands and Opens Trawl Gear in Critical Habitat
February 25, 1999 - 4:20 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
