NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES RULE: FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA; PACIFIC COD BY CATCHER VESSELS LESS THAN 50 FEET LENGTH OVERALL USING HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR IN THE CENTRAL REGULATORY AREA OF THE GULF OF ALASKA

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a rule called: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on March 20 by Karen H. Abrams, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Summary: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowanc...