Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Interim 2000 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

NMFS issues interim 2000 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for each category of groundfish, Community Development Quota (CDQ) amounts, and prohibited species catch (PSC) amounts for the groundfish fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). Without interim specifications in effect on January 1, the groundfish fisheries would not be able to open on that date, which would result in unnecessary closures and disruption within the fishing industry. This action is necessary to conserve and manage the groundfish resources of the BSAI and is intended to implement the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMP).