Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; Interim 2003 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

Zusammenfassung

NMFS issues interim 2003 total allowable catch (TAC) amounts for each category of groundfish, American Fisheries Act (AFA) sideboard amounts, and specifications for prohibited species catch (PSC) amounts for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). 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 fishery industry. The intended effect is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA.