The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for rock sole, flathead sole, and "other flatfish" by vessels using trawl gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), August 31, 1999, until 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 1999, according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 1999 halibut bycatch allowance specified for the trawl rock sole/flathead sole/"other flatfish" fishery category and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.21(e)(7)(v).
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations at 50 CFR 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 regulatory change.
IB 99-97: NMFS Closing Rock Sole/Flathead Sole/"Other Flatfish" for Trawl Gear in the BSAI
August 30, 1999 - 2:30 p.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
