Fisheries Off West Coast States; Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries; Closure

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific sardine off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and California. This action is necessary because the directed harvest allocation total for the first seasonal period (January 1-June 30) is projected to be reached by the effective date of this rule. From the effective date of this rule until June 30, 2010, Pacific sardine can only be harvested as part of the live bait fishery or incidental to other fisheries; the incidental harvest of Pacific sardine is limited to 30-percent by weight of all fish per trip. Fishing vessels must be at shore and in the process of offloading at 12:01 am Pacific Daylight Time on date of closure.