Fisheries Off West Coast States and in the Western Pacific; Western Pacific Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fishery; Fishing Moratorium
seasonal-closure · west coast · Published 2004-08-19 · Effective 2004-09-20 · 69 FR 51400
Document
Document number
04-18956
Federal Register citation
69 FR 51400
Type
Rule
Action
Final rule.
Category
seasonal-closure
Region
west coast
Publication date
2004-08-19
Effective date
2004-09-20
NOAA docket
Docket No. 04061787-4234-02
Abstract
NOAA Fisheries issues this final rule to extend the current moratorium on harvesting seamount groundfish from the Hancock Seamount in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands for 6 years, until August 31, 2010. The fishery has been closed since 1986. NMFS is promulgating this final rule in response to recommendation by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council). The closure is intended to conserve pelagic armorhead (Pseudopentaceros wheeleri, formerly, Pentaceros richardsoni), which is an overfished stock.