Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plans

The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA (AA), on behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), publishes annual management measures promulgated as regulations by the IPHC and approved by the Secretary of State governing the Pacific halibut fishery. The AA also announces the approval of modifications to the Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A, and implementing regulations for 1997. These actions are intended to enhance the conservation of Pacific halibut stocks in order to help rebuild and sustain them at an adequate level in the northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea.