INFORMATION BULLETIN (01-56)                 June 6, 2001
Sustainable Fisheries Division               9:30 a.m.
907-586-7228


 THE INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION (IPHC) UPDATES A 
  REPORT ON OPTIONS FOR MONITORING THE INCIDENTAL CATCH OF THE
ENDANGERED SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS IN THE PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERY
             IN FEDERALLY-MANAGED WATERS OFF ALASKA
     
                           
The IPHC recently provided the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) with an updated report on practical options for monitoring
the incidental catch of the endangered short-tailed albatross
(Phoebastria albatrus) in the Pacific halibut fishery in
federally-managed waters off Alaska, according to James W.
Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. 

Two additions have been made to the December, 2000 version
(http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/seabirds/IPHCrpt.pdf) 
of "A Feasibility Study that Investigates Options for
Monitoring Bycatch of the Short-tailed Albatross in the Pacific
Halibut Fishery off Alaska".  The first is the addition of an
Executive Summary.  The second is an expanded discussion of an
Evaluation of Video Monitoring.  Although the latter topic was
addressed in the December, 2000 version, IPHC revised the report
to make it more informative for decision-makers.  Both sections
are included in this Addendum
(http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/seabirds/IPHCrpt_rev
_addendum.pdf).  A revised final report
(http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/seabirds/IPHCrpt_rev
.pdf) containing these additions has been released with a
February, 2001 date and the word Revised on the cover.  In lieu
of obtaining a February, 2001 report, this Addendum may be added
to the December, 2000 report for a report equivalent to the
February, 2001 report. Note that the section on Evaluation of
Video Monitoring in this Addendum should replace the section
contained in the December, 2000 report.  

See the news release
(http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/newsreleases/01_02_akr.htm) issued by
NMFS on January 8, 2001 for additional information.  The updated
report can be obtained from our website at
(http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/seabirds/IPHCrpt_rev
.pdf) or by contacting Kim Rivera at 907-586-7424 or
Kim.Rivera@noaa.gov. See
http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/seabirds.html for
information about other efforts to reduce the incidental catch of
seabirds in longline fisheries.