INFORMATION BULLETIN (04-25)                                                March 8, 2003    
 Sustainable Fisheries Division                                              10:00 a.m.             
 907-586-7228                         


NMFS PROHIBITS DIRECTED FISHING FOR PACIFIC COD BY CATCHER VESSELS
    LESS THAN 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA USING JIG OR HOOK-AND-LINE 
              GEAR IN THE BOGOSLOF EXEMPTION AREA
                                
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the Bogoslof
Pacific cod exemption area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area effective 12
noon, Alaska local time (Alt.), March 10, 2004, through 12 midnight, A.l.t., December 31, 2004,
according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 113 mt Pacific cod limit for catcher vessels less
than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using jig or hook-and-line gear in the exemption area and is issued
pursuant to 50 CFR 679.22(a)(7)(i)(C)(1) and (2). 

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.