INFORMATION BULLETIN (01-31)         March 21, 2001      
 Sustainable Fisheries Division       11:25 a.m.                
 907-586-7228                         


                                                            
              NMFS PROHIBITS DIRECTED FISHING FOR 
   POLLOCK IN THE WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT IN THE GULF OF ALASKA
                                
                                
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting
directed fishing for pollock in the West Yakutat District
(Statistical Area 640, between 140 degrees and 147 degrees W.
longitudes) in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon,
Alaska local time, March 22, 2001, according to James W.
Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the pollock total
allowable catch specified for the West Yakutat District (Area
640) in the GOA.  This action is issued pursuant to 50 CFR
679.20(d)(1)(iii).

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. 

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 of the regulation
in the Code of Federal Regulations.