IB 99-51: NMFS Closing Other Non-Trawl Gear in the BSAI

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is closing directed fishing for each species and species group of groundfish in the other nontrawl fishery category in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), May 15, 1999, until 12 noon, A.l.t., September 1, 1999, according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the first seasonal apportionment of the 1999 Pacific halibut bycatch mortality allowance specified for the other nontrawl fishery category in the BSAI and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.21(e)(8). The other nontrawl fishery category is defined as fishing for groundfish with nontrawl gear during any weekly reporting period that results in a retained catch of groundfish and does not qualify as a Pacific cod hook-and-line fishery, a sablefish hook- and-line fishery, a jig fishery, or a groundfish pot gear fishery. This closure includes directed fishing for Greenland turbot with hook-and-line gear in the BSAI.

Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations at 679.20(e) and (f).

This information bulletin provides notice that a regulatory change has occurred. Do not rely upon it to guide you in complying with the new regulatory change.