Rule2025-17867
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western 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 16, 2025
Effective
September 12, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 177 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 16, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 44586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17867]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0037; RTID 0648-XF004]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch in the Western 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 ocean perch
in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action
is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2025 total allowable catch of
Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 12,
2025, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 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 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,753 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications for
groundfish of the GOA (90 FR 12468, March 18, 2025).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2025 TAC
of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will
be or has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 1,623 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 130 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 will be or has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA to prevent exceeding the Pacific ocean perch
TAC in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.
While this closure is in effect, the maximum retainable amounts at
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
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 in a timely fashion, and would delay the closure of directed
fishing of Pacific ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the
GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public
comment because the most recent, relevant data on catch of Pacific
ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA only became
available as of September 11, 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: September 12, 2025.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-17867 Filed 9-12-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 16, 2025.
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