NMFS Revises Groundfish Closure in Alaska EEZ to Allow Pacific Cod Fisheries

Summary

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has revised a closure to commercial fishing for Pacific cod in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Alaska, west of 144 degrees west longitude, through December 31, 2000, to permit small-scale, fixed-gear fisheries for a limited time, balancing protection of Steller sea lions with the need to mitigate short-term impacts on the fishing industry.