IB 99-78: Crab Interim Action Committee Meeting

NMFS announces a Crab Interim Action Committee (CIAC) meeting to review an appeal of recent Alaska Board of Fisheries (Board) preseason management decisions to revise State regulations governing the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands king and Tanner crab fisheries.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, August 11, 1999, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Alaska local time, at the NMFS Regional Office in the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Room 445, Juneau, AK 99801.

The Fishery Management Plan for the Commercial King and Tanner Crab Fisheries in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (FMP) requires the CIAC to review the appeal prior to action by the Secretary. The CIAC has no authority to grant or reject the appeal, but will comment on the appeal for the benefit of the Secretary. The CIAC will review the Board's actions to determine whether the management measures adopted by the Board are consistent with the FMP (including compliance with framework criteria), the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and other Federal law.

The appeal submitted to the Secretary requests Secretarial review of three management decisions made by the Board at its meeting in March 1999. The appeal requests Secretarial review of the Board's decision to (1) move the Bristol Bay red king crab fishing season from November 1 to October 15, (2) implement a 30-day exclusion period when no pot or trawl gear can be fished in Area T before the red king crab fishery in that area, and (3) implement a 30-day exclusion period when no pot or trawl gear can be fished in Area J prior to the C. bairdi Tanner crab fishery in that area and include trawl gear in the existing 14-day exclusion period for C. opilio Tanner crab.

NMFS invites the public to attend the CIAC meeting to listen to staff presentations, however no opportunity for public testimony will be provided. Interested public should contact NMFS prior to August 11, 1999, to confirm the meeting date. For further information, please contact Gretchen Harrington, 907-586-7445 (phone), (907) 586-7465 (fax), or gretchen.harrington@noaa.gov (e-mail).