INFORMATION BULLETIN (03-37)                                                        April 4, 2003    
 Sustainable Fisheries Division                                                      2:15 p.m.             
 907-586-7228                         



          NMFS PROHIBITS DIRECTED FISHING FOR POLLOCK
       IN THE WEST YAKUTAT DISTRICT OF 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) of the
Gulf of Alaska, effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, April 7, 2003, 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 of the Gulf of Alaska.  This action 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.