The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting retention of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, October 12, 2022, according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary because the 2022 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch apportioned to the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(2).
NMFS is requiring that Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA be treated in the same manner as a prohibited species, as described under § 679.21(a), for the remainder of the year, except Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described in § 679.20(j). This closure does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative fishery of the Rockfish Program for the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
This information bulletin only provides notice of a fishery management action. For the purposes of complying with any requirements of this action, you are advised to see the actual text of the action in the Federal Register.
Original source can be found here.
