IB 23-28: NMFS Prohibits Directed Fishing for Rock Sole, Flathead Sole, Alaska Plaice, and Other Flatfish in the Herring Savings Areas of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for rock sole, flathead sole, Alaska plaice, and other flatfish in the Summer and Winter Herring Savings Areas of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t), June 15, 2023, through March 1, 2024, according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

• The Summer Herring Savings Area 1 is that part of the Bering Sea subarea that is south of 57° North latitude and between 162° W longitude and 164° W longitude from 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 15, 2023 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., July 1, 2023.
• The Summer Herring Savings Area 2 is that part of the Bering Sea subarea that is south of 56°30" North latitude and between 164° W longitude and 167° W longitude from 1200 hours, A.l.t., July 1, 2023 through 1200 hours A.l.t., August 15, 2023.
• The Winter Herring Savings Area is that part of the Bering Sea subarea that is between of 58° and 60° North latitude and between 172° W longitude and 175° W longitude from 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2023 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 1, 2024.

This action is necessary to prevent additional catch of herring accruing to the 2023 herring bycatch allowance specified for the rock sole, flathead sole, Alaska plaice, and other flatfish fisheries in the BSAI and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.21(e)(7)(vi).

This action includes prohibiting directed fishing for rock sole, flathead sole, Alaska plaice, and other flatfish by vessels participating in the Community Development Program.

While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.

This information bulletin only provides notice of a regulatory change. For the purposes of complying with the regulatory change, you are advised to see the actual text in the Code of Federal Regulations.