NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Pacific Ocean Perch by Catcher Processors

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch by catcher processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central Regulatory Area (Statistical Areas 620 and 630, between 147 degrees and 159 degrees W. longitudes) of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, July 5, 2008, according to Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2008 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch allocated to catcher processors participating in the rockfish limited access fishery in the Central GOA and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii).

After the effective date of this closure the maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.

This information bulletin only provides notice of a regulatory change. For the purposes of complying with the regulatory change, you are advised to see the actual text in the Code of Federal Regulations.