Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 ft (18.3 m) Length Overall Using Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2002 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels using hook-and- line or pot gear in this area. Pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7)(i)(C)(5)(i), Pacific cod catch by catcher vessels less than 60 ft (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line gear presently accrues to the allocation for catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear specified at 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7)(i)(C)(1)(ii).