IB 99-5: NMFS Announces Approval of Amendments to Extend the Vessel Moratorium

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces approval of Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area, Amendment 57 to the FMP for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, and Amendment 9 to the FMP for the Commercial King and Tanner Crab Fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

Amendments 59, 57, and 9 extend the Vessel Moratorium Program (VMP) managed under the aforementioned FMPs for one year. This one-year extension, from January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, is intended to eliminate a hiatus between the end of the VMP on December 31, 1998 (as originally codified), and the beginning of fishing under the License Limitation Program (LLP), scheduled to begin January 1, 2000.

Current holders of valid VMP permits will be able to continue fishing in 1999, notwithstanding the expiration date of December 31, 1998, on the permit. Further information on the VMP extension will be contained in the final rule implementing Amendments 59, 57, and 9. This final rule will be published in the Federal Register.

For further information contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS, at 907-586-7228.