The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating the projected unused amounts of 430 metric tons (mt) of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear and 220 mt of Pacific cod from vessels using pot gear to the annual amount specified for catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear and catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (WGOA), according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
The following table summarizes the reallocation in metric tons:
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PACIFIC COD CURRENT SHARE THIS ACTION REVISED SHARE
Catcher Vessels Using 1,956 -430 1,526
Trawl Gear
Vessels Using Pot Gear 1,936 -220 1,716
Catcher Vessels Using 71 + 220 291
Hook-and-Line Gear
Catcher/Processors Using 1,009 + 430 1,439
Hook-and-Line Gear
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This action is necessary to allow the 2023 total allowable catch of Pacific cod in the WGOA to be harvested and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B). This action does not imply any change in the status of the fisheries.
This information bulletin only provides notice of a fishery management action. For the purposes of complying with the requirements of this action, you are advised to see the actual text of the action in the Federal Register.