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National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Regional Office

Fisheries Management - Information Bulletins


Information Bulletin 02-9
Sustainable Fisheries Division
907-586-7228
January 17, 2002
8:45 a.m.

NMFS Issues Enforcement Policy Pertaining to Amounts of Pollock Roe That Can Be Retained on Board a Vessel

As in 2001, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will not enforce the current 7 percent pollock roe retention limitation during the 2002 pollock roe fishery being conducted in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska, according to Jeff Passer, Special-Agent-In- Charge, Alaska Enforcement Division, NMFS. Currently, regulations stipulate that the amount of roe must not exceed 7 percent of the total round-weight equivalent of pollock, as calculated from the primary pollock product on board the vessel during the same fishing trip. Actual roe content, however, may at times exceed 7 percent.

Given that vessels already must comply with improved retention/improved utilization regulations when fishing for pollock as recommended by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and approved by NMFS, requiring them to discard pollock roe in excess of 7 percent is inconsistent with goals and objectives of the Council. Therefore, as previously recommended by the Council, NMFS intends to propose regulations that would revise the pollock roe retention requirements in a manner that minimizes waste in the pollock fishery. This enforcement policy expires June 10, 2002, which is the date that represents the end of the "A" Season for pollock in the Bering Sea.

This information bulletin only provides notice of a policy change that affects regulatory enforcement.
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