Rule2025-16794
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 2, 2025
Effective
September 1, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 167 (Tuesday, September 2, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 167 (Tuesday, September 2, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 42337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-16794]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0037; RTID 0648-XF142]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of
the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the
2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod by catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 1,
2025, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared and recommended by
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in
accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50
CFR part 679.
The annual 2025 Pacific cod TAC apportioned to catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA not
participating in the cooperative fishery of the Rockfish Program is
6,203 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2025 and 2026
harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (90 FR 12468, March
18, 2025).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator has determined that the annual 2025 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA has been or will be reached. Therefore, the
Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of
3,225 mt and is setting aside the remaining 2,978 mt as incidental
catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. In accordance
with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator finds that
this directed fishing allowance has been or will be reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA to prevent exceedance of this sector's annual apportionment of
Pacific cod TAC.
While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. This closure
does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative
fishery of the Rockfish Program in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 679, which was
issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice
and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest,
as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries
data on the harvest of Pacific cod in a timely fashion and would delay
the closure of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice
providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant
data regarding harvest of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA only became available as
of August 28, 2025.
The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, NOAA also finds good
cause to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action
under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This finding is based upon the reasons
provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public
comment.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: August 28, 2025.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-16794 Filed 8-29-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 2, 2025.
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