Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Removal of Groundfish Closure

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NMFS revises an existing closure to commercial fishing for Pacific cod within critical habitat designated for Steller sea lions in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Alaska west of 144 deg. W. long. through December 31, 2000. The revision of the existing closure is necessary to permit relatively small-scale, fixed-gear fisheries for Pacific cod to continue for a limited period of time. The revised closure is intended to ensure that Steller sea lions are adequately protected based on conclusions in a biological opinion issued November 30, 2000, while mitigating short-term social and economic effects on fixed-gear fisheries for Pacific cod.