NOAA Fisheries

NMFS Decreases the 2009 Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch Amount in the Gulf of Alaska

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is decreasing the 2009 total allowable catch (TAC) amount for pollock and Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, January 5, 2009, according to Robert D. Mecum, Acting Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

NMFS is decreasing the pollock TAC from 78,170 mt to 49,900 mt and the Pacific cod TAC from 50,269 metric tons (mt) to 41,807 mt in the GOA. This action is necessary because NMFS has determined that the current 2009 pollock and Pacific cod TACs for the GOA are incorrectly specified. These TACs are higher than the appropriate TACs derived from the latest stock assessment information. The 2009 TACs are scheduled to be updated in late February 2009, based on the latest stock assessments. However, the pollock and Pacific cod fisheries are likely to harvest the entire A season apportionments before the updated harvest specifications are effective. NMFS must therefore decrease the TACs and seasonal apportionments thereof prior to 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 and Pacific cod fisheries. 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.