Rule2025-18898
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 29, 2025
Effective
September 26, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting retention of Pacific Ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific Ocean perch in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been or will be reached.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 186 (Monday, September 29, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 186 (Monday, September 29, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 46529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-18898]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0037; RTID 0648-XF239]
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 retention of Pacific Ocean perch in the
Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary because the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific Ocean perch
in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA has been or will be reached.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 26,
2025, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2025.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zaleski, 907-206-5802.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the GOA (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 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)(2), the Regional Administrator
has determined that the 2025 TAC of Pacific Ocean perch has been or
will be reached. Therefore, NMFS is requiring that Pacific ocean perch
for vessels in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA be treated as
prohibited species in accordance with Sec. 679.21(a)(2) for the
remainder of the year, except for Pacific ocean perch in the Western
Regulatory Area of the GOA caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-
line, pot, or jig gear as described in Sec. 679.20(j), or catcher
vessels using trawl gear participating in the electronic monitoring
program as described in Sec. 679.21(a)(2).
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 prohibiting the retention of
Pacific Ocean perch. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time
for public comment because the most recent, relevant data on Pacific
Ocean perch catch only became available as of September 22, 2025.
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day
delay in the effective date of this action. 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 25, 2025.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-18898 Filed 9-25-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 29, 2025.
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