INFORMATION BULLETIN (99-24)          February 25, 1999    
 Sustainable Fisheries Division        8:30 a.m.              
 907-586-7228                           


                         
      NMFS ANNOUNCES 1999 COMBINED GROUNDFISH/IFQ LOGBOOKS


The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the
availability of a new combined NMFS/International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC) 1999 Catcher Vessel Groundfish/IFQ Daily
Fishing Logbook (DFL) and a 1999 Catcher/Processor Groundfish/IFQ
Daily Cumulative Production Logbook (DCPL), according to Steven
Pennoyer, Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.  This
logbook is the culmination of negotiations among the NMFS, IPHC,
State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), and the
fishing industry to remove duplication and improve fisheries
recordkeeping and reporting.

This combined logbook is required to be used by operators of
catcher vessels at least 60 feet in length overall and all
catcher/processors that fish for IFQ Pacific halibut or sablefish
and also non-IFQ groundfish in a given fishing year, as
authorized by Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 679 and IPHC
regulations at 50 CFR part 300.60.  NMFS mailed copies of the new
logbooks on February 19, 1999, to the owners of appropriate
vessels that reported IFQ landings in 1998.  For persons who must
use them, the combined logbooks supercede groundfish logbooks
previously distributed by NMFS.  Instructions for switching to
the new logbooks are included in that mailing. 

To obtain information about or copies of these logbooks, contact
the Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS, 907-586-7228.