Rule2025-22100
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
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
December 5, 2025
Effective
December 3, 2025
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific Ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2025 Pacific Ocean perch total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 232 (Friday, December 5, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 232 (Friday, December 5, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22100]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0036; RTID 0648-XF358]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands Management Area
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 Bering Sea subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the 2025 Pacific Ocean perch total allowable catch (TAC) in the Bering
Sea subarea of the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), December 3,
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
BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (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 Pacific Ocean perch TAC in the Bering Sea subarea of the
BSAI is 10,121 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2025 and
2026 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (90 FR 12640,
March 18, 2025) and reapportionment of reserves (90 FR 27483, June 27,
2025).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator has determined that the 2025 TAC for Pacific Ocean perch
in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI will be or has been reached.
Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 10,111 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 10
mt as incidental catch because it is necessary to support other
anticipated groundfish fisheries. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for Pacific Ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of
the BSAI to prevent exceeding this sectors allowance of Pacific Ocean
perch TAC.
While this closure remains 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 Pacific Ocean
perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish
a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as of December 2, 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: December 3, 2025.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-22100 Filed 12-3-25; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 5, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.