Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures for the Groundfish Fisheries off Alaska

NMFS amends an emergency interim rule implementing 2001 Steller sea lion protection measures. These modifications prohibit directed fishing for Pacific cod by specified vessels until the July 17, 2001, expiration of that emergency interim rule. It is expected that NMFS will undertake further rulemaking by that date to establish new fishing seasons for the Pacific cod fisheries and other Steller sea lion protection measures for the second half of 2001. This current action is intended to provide for orderly implementation of 2001 Steller sea lion protection measures and is necessary to manage the groundfish fisheries off Alaska in a manner that continues to provide protection to Steller sea lions and their critical habitat in accordance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) and Pub. L. 106-554.