NOAA Fisheries News Releases
NEWS RELEASE
August 9, 2000
Carol Tocco, Public Affairs NMFS
(907) 586-7032
Trawling for Groundfish is Prohibited in Designated Critical Habitat for Steller Sea Lions
NOAA‘s National Marine Fisheries Service announces the closure to all groundfish trawl fishing within federally regulated waters in areas west of 144 W longitude designated as critical habitat for Steller sea lions. This closure has been issued pursuant to an order by the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington and will remain in effect until the order is rescinded by the Court.
On August 7, 2000, the Court issued an Order enjoining all groundfish trawling within Steller sea lion critical habitat west of 144 W longitude until further order of the Court. The injunction became effective at 11:00 am Alaska time on August 8. This motion requested injunctive relief until NOAA Fisheries issues a legally adequate biological opinion addressing the combined overall effects of the North Pacific groundfish fisheries on the Steller sea lion and its critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. Scheduled completion of the comprehensive biological opinion is October 31, 2000. Until the Court rescinds its order, NOAA Fisheries will specify the critical habitat areas closed pursuant to the injunction.
Please refer to regulations at 50 CFR Sections 223.202, 226.202, and 679.22(j), and the preamble to the emergency rule for more information and the specific areas affected by this closure. This information is available at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/index/frules/frules.asp?Yr=2000.
NOAA Fisheries conducts scientific research and provides services and products to support domestic and international fisheries management, fisheries development, trade and industry assistance, enforcement, and protected species and habitat conservation programs.