NEWS RELEASE (97-39)               March 29, 1997
Steven Pennoyer                    8:30 a.m.
907-586-7221                       For Immediate Release

FIXED GEAR SABLEFISH FISHERY IN
STATE WATERS OTHER THAN PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND & STATE LIMITED
ENTRY SABLEFISH FISHERY
          
Steven Pennoyer, Administrator, Alaska Region, National Marine
Fisheries Service, today issued a reminder that, except for
sablefish fishing in the Alaska state Limited Entry fishery and
waters of the Prince William sound, the IFQ regulations govern
commercial sablefish fishing by vessels that use fixed gear:

     a) within the EEZ off Alaska; and
     b) within the Alaska state waters adjacent to the EEZ off
     Alaska if at any time during the calender year:
          1) any person on board that vessel has been issued an
          IFQ permit for sablefish, regardless of area; or
          2) any person on board that vessel has been issued an
          IFQ card ( hired skipper  card) authorizing him/her to
          land IFQ sablefish for debit against the permit
          holder s IFQ, regardless of area.

To obtain information concerning this clarification or existing
regulations, consult the applicable regulation published in the
Federal Register, or contact the Fisheries Management Division,
NMFS, 907-586-7228.