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INFORMATION BULLETIN #00-102 Sustainable Fisheries Division 907-586-7228 December 15, 2000 4:10 p.m. NMFS INTENDS TO REVISE THE CLOSURE OF STELLER SEA LION CRITICAL HABITAT TO COMMERCIAL FISHING FOR PACIFIC COD The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) intends to revise a final rule that prohibits commercial fishing for Pacific cod in Steller sea lion critical habitat, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. On December 14, 2000, NMFS implemented a final rule that prohibited commercial fishing for Pacific cod in Steller sea lion critical habitat. NMFS intends to revise the final rule to constrain the closure only to directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using trawl gear. Under the revised rule, vessels using nontrawl gear could continue to fish in critical habitat consistent with other regulations and fishery closures implemented under 50 CFR part 679. This action is necessary to allow small harvest amounts of Pacific cod by vessels using non trawl gear in a manner that does not pose significant competition with endangered Steller sea lions for Pacific cod, a major prey species. This information bulletin provides notice of an intended regulatory change. Do not rely upon it to guide you in complying with the future regulatory change.

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