The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is closing directed fishing for specified species by catcher/processors identified in Section 208(e)(1)- (20) of the American Fisheries Act (listed catcher/processors) in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, January 22, 1999, according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region.
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing by the listed catcher/processors for:
Sablefish | Bering Sea subarea |
Greenland turbot | Bering Sea subarea |
Pacific ocean perch | Bering Sea subarea |
"Other rockfish" | Bering Sea subarea |
Other red rockfish | Bering Sea subarea |
Pacific ocean perch | Eastern, Central, & Western Districts of the Aleutian Islands Subarea |
Sablefish | Aleutian Islands subarea |
Greenland turbot | Aleutian Islands subarea |
Sharpchin/northern rockfish | Aleutian Islands subarea |
Shortraker/rougheye rockfish | Aleutian Islands subarea |
"Other rockfish" | Aleutian Islands subarea |
These actions are necessary to prevent exceeding the amount of the 1999 interim harvest limitation of groundfish other than pollock, established under section 211(b)(2)(A) or (C) of the American Fisheries Act for listed catcher/processors.
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. Other closures remain in full force and effect.
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.