Information Bulletin (98-41)          May 1, 1998
 Steven Pennoyer                       3:30 p.m.
 907-586-7221                          For Immediate Release
 
     NMFS ANNOUNCES THE INCIDENTAL TAKE LIMIT ESTABLISHED
       FOR THE ENDANGERED SHORT-TAILED ALBATROSS IN THE
PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERIES IN U.S. CONVENTION WATERS OFF ALASKA AND
        CLARIFIES ONE OF THE SEABIRD AVOIDANCE MEASURES

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces that the the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recently issued a Biological
Opinion on the potential effects of the Pacific halibut longline
fishery in State and Federal waters on the endangered short-tailed
albatross, according to Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS.  USFWS anticipates up to two short-tailed albatross
could be taken every two years as a result of this fishery.  If the
anticipated level of incidental take is exceeded, NMFS must
immediately stop the action causing the take and reinitiate formal
consultation with USFWS.

Given the concern for this endangered species, NMFS asks that:

     1)   All short-tailed albatrosses brought aboard dead in the
          Pacific halibut fishery be retained, frozen aboard ship or
          in the absence of adequate freezer facilities, preserved
          as best as is practicable.  Upon returning to port, the
          vessel's captain is responsible for shipping the carcass
          via same day or overnight shipping services to:
                         USFWS
                         Ecological Services, Anchorage
                         605 W. 4th Ave. Rm. G62
                         Anchorage, Alaska 99501

A note should be made on the outside of the shipping container as to
its contents.  Shipping costs will be reimbursed to the addressor by
the USFWS.

     2)   All observations and all takes of short-tailed albatross
          should be reported by phone, fax, or e-mail to:
                         USFWS
                         Ecological Services, Anchorage
                         Phone:    800/272-4174
                         Fax:      907/271-2786
                         E-mail:   greg_balogh@fws.gov

This information should include:

          a)   Name of the vessel associated with the observation or take,
          b)   Date, time, and location of the observation or take,
          c)   Method by which the USFWS can contact the reportee, and
          d)   In the case of a take, which seabird avoidance measures
               were being used by the crew of the vessel at the time the
               take occurred.
 
This information should be reported to USFWS within 48 hours of
returning to port.
 
Seabird avoidance measures are currently required in the Pacific
halibut fishery.  The rule requiring these measures was published in
the Federal Register on March 6, 1998 (63 FR 11161) and became
effective April 6, 1998.  NMFS announced this requirement in
Information Bulletin 98-19 on March 9, 1998.  NMFS clarifies the
Information Bulletin.  If operators of vessels greater than or equal
to 26 ft (7.9 m) length overall using hook-and-line gear are
employing the seabird avoidance measure that calls for setting gear
'between the hours of nautical twilight', the operator must set gear
during the hours specified below for specified longitudes and found
at 50 CFR Part 679.24(e)(3)(iv):

Hours are Alaska local time.

                           Longitude
Calendar Month Shoreward to 150°W  151 to 165°W   166 to 180°W
January             1800-0700      1900-0800      2000-0900
February            1900-0600      2000-0700      2100-0800
March               2000-0500      2100-0600      2200-0700
April               2100-0400      2200-0500      2300-0600
May                 2200-0300      2300-0400      2400-0500
June                this measure cannot be exercised during June
July                this measure cannot be exercised during July
August              2200-0400      2300-0500      2400-0600
September           2000-0500      2100-0600      2200-0700
October             1900-0600      2000-0700      2100-0800
November            1800-0700      1900-0800      2000-0900
December            1700-0700      1800-0800      1900-0900

This measure applies to operators of vessels fishing for Pacific
halibut with hook-and-line gear in U.S. Convention waters off Alaska
and also for operators of vessels fishing with hook-and-line gear in
the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management
area groundfish fisheries.

To obtain information about these regulations, consult the Federal
Register publication, or contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division,
NMFS, 907-586-7228.