Groundfish Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area; Change in Assumed Pacific Halibut Discard Mortality Rate

Samenvatting

NMFS announces a reduction of the Pacific halibut discard mortality rate assumed for the 1995 hook-and-line Pacific cod fishery in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) from 12.5 percent to 11.5 percent. This action is necessary to implement the intent of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) to assess discard mortality rates observed in this fishery during the first half of 1995 and, if warranted, adjust the 12.5 assumed rate specified for this fishery to reflect more closely the 1995 observed rate.