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NMFS Decreases the 2008 Pollock Total Allowable Catch Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is decreasing the 2008 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for pollock in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, January 7, 2008, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
NMFS is decreasing the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 in the GOA from 30,308 mt to 17,602 mt. NMFS is decreasing the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 in the GOA from 25,313 mt to 19,181 mt. NMFS is decreasing the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 in the GOA from 17,995 mt to 13,640 mt. NMFS is decreasing the pollock TAC in the West Yakutat District from 1,694 mt to 1,517 mt.
This action is necessary because NMFS has determined that the current 2008 pollock TACs for the GOA are incorrectly specified. These TACs are higher than the appropriate TACs derived from the latest stock assessment information. The 2008 TACs are scheduled to be updated in late February 2008, based on the latest stock assessments. However, the pollock fishery is likely to harvest the entire A season apportionment before the updated harvest specifications are effective. NMFS must therefore decrease the TACs prior to the effective date of the updated harvest specifications. The Steller sea lion protection measures at 50 CFR 679.20 require the seasonal apportionment of the annual TAC to reduce the potential for competition for prey species between Steller sea lions and the pollock fishery. The seasonal apportionment is necessary to prevent the likelihood of the groundfish fisheries causing jeopardy of extinction or adverse modification of critical habitat for Steller sea lions.
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.
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