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NMFS Opens the Cape Sarichef Research Restriction Area to Groundfish Fishing in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is removing the closure of the Cape Sarichef Research Restriction Area in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands to directed fishing for groundfish by vessels named on Federal Fisheries Permits (FFP) and using trawl, pot or hook-and-line gear. This closure would have taken effect at 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t), March 15, 2006, according to Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
The Cape Sarichef Research Restriction Area was closed to directed fishing for groundfish by vessels named on FFP's issued under 679.4(b) and using trawl, pot, or hook-and-line gear from March 15, 2006, through March 31, 2006, as a control for research by the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) on the effects of fishing on the localized abundance of Pacific cod. The AFSC will not conduct research in this area in 2006, therefore, pursuant to 50 CFR 679.22(b)(3)(ii)(B), NMFS is opening the Cape Sarichef Research Restriction Area.
This action removes an unnecessary restriction on the fishing industry and facilitates the full harvest of the total allowable catch amounts in the BSAI.
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 of the regulation in the Code of Federal Regulations.
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