INFORMATION BULLETIN (00-13)         January 27, 2000         
 Sustainable Fisheries Division       5:00 p.m.                 
 907-586-7228


 NMFS PROHIBITS DIRECTED FISHING FOR POLLOCK BY CERTAIN VESSELS
 GREATER THAN 99 FT LOA CATCHING POLLOCK FOR PROCESSING IN THE
STELLER SEA LION CONSERVATION AREA OF THE BERING SEA AND ALEUTIAN
                    ISLANDS MANAGEMENT AREA

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting
directed fishing for pollock by vessels greater than 99 feet
length over all (LOA) catching pollock independent of an
authorized pollock co-operative (non co-op vessels) for
processing by the inshore component in the Steller sea lion
conservation area (SCA) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI).  This prohibition is effective 12 noon,
Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 30, 2000, until 12 noon,
A.l.t., April 1, 2000, according to Steven Pennoyer,
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. 
 
This action is necessary because the interim A season inside SCA
allocation of pollock total allowable catch specified for the non
co-op vessels greater than 99 feet LOA within the SCA will be
reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.22(a)(11)(iv)(A) and
(D)(2).

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 provides notice of a regulatory change. 
Do not rely upon it to guide you in complying with the regulatory
change.