Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Inshore- Offshore Allocations of Pollock and Pacific Cod Total Allowable Catch; Inshore-Offshore Allocation of 1999 Interim Groundfish Specifications
NMFS issues regulations to implement Amendment 51 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (BSAI) and Amendment 51 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to implement the approved portions of Amendments 51/51. The rules re-establish the catcher vessel operational area (CVOA) in the Bering Sea and the allocations of total allowable catches (TACs) of pollock and Pacific cod in the GOA between inshore and offshore components of the fisheries through 2001. Accordingly, the 1999 interim groundfish specifications are revised to reflect these allocations. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the FMPs.