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Proposed Rule2025-23044

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; 2026 and 2027 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

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Published

December 16, 2025

Issuing agencies

Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Abstract

NMFS proposes 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2026 and 2027 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). The final 2026 harvest specifications will supersede those previously set in the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications, and the 2027 harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2027 when the final 2027 and 2028 harvest specifications are published. The final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications will be effective for one year from the publication of the final rule implementing those specifications, which is anticipated to publish in March 2026. The intended effect of this action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 239 (Tuesday, December 16, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 16, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58185-58204]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23044]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 251212-0183; RTID 0648-XF288]

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of
Alaska; 2026 and 2027 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; harvest specifications and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch limits for
the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2026
and 2027 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of
the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP).
The final 2026 harvest specifications will supersede those previously
set in the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications, and the 2027
harvest specifications will be superseded in early 2027 when the final
2027 and 2028 harvest specifications are published. The final 2026 and
2027 harvest specifications will be effective for one year from the
publication of the final rule implementing those specifications, which
is anticipated to publish in March 2026. The intended effect of this
action is to conserve and manage the groundfish resources in the GOA in
accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

DATES: Comments must be received by January 5, 2026.

ADDRESSES: A plain language summary of this proposed rule is available
at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2025-1164">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2025-1164</a>. You may
submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2025-1164 by
any of the following methods:
<bullet> Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and enter NOAA-NMFS-2025-1164 in the Search box.
Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
<bullet> Mail: Submit written comments to Gretchen Harrington,
Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division,
Alaska Region NMFS. Mail comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-
1668.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain
anonymous).
Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest Specifications
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), Record of Decision
(ROD) for the Final EIS, and the annual Supplementary Information
Reports (SIR) to the Final EIS prepared for this action are available
from <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. An updated 2026 SIR for the final
2026 and 2027 harvest specifications will be available from the same
source. The final 2024 Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE)
report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, dated December 2024, is
available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council)
at 1007 West Third, Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501-2252, phone 907-271-
2809, or from the Council's website at: <a href="https://www.npfmc.org">https://www.npfmc.org</a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fisheries in
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the GOA under the FMP. The Council
prepared and recommended the FMP under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.). Regulations governing U.S.
fisheries and implementing the FMP appear at 50 CFR parts 600, 679, and
680.
The FMP and its implementing regulations require that NMFS, after
consultation with the Council, specify the total allowable catch (TAC)
for each target species, the sum of which must be within the optimum
yield (OY) range of 116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) (Sec. Sec.
679.20(a)(1)(i)(B) and 679.20(a)(2)). Section 679.20(c)(1) further
requires NMFS to publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual
TACs and apportionments thereof for each target species, Pacific
halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits, and seasonal allowances
of pollock and Pacific cod. The proposed harvest specifications in
tables 1 through 19 of this proposed rule would satisfy these
requirements once finalized through a final rulemaking. For 2026 and
2027, the sum of the proposed TAC amounts is 464,741 mt.
Under Sec. 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will publish the final 2026 and 2027
harvest specifications after: (1) considering comments received within
the comment period (see DATES); (2) consulting with the Council at its
December 2025 meeting; (3) considering information presented in the
2026 SIR to the Final EIS that assesses the need to prepare a
Supplemental EIS (see ADDRESSES); and (4) considering information
presented in the final 2024 SAFE report, including the Ecosystem Status
Report (ESR) for the GOA. The final 2026 and 2027 harvest
specifications will be effective for one year from the publication of
the final rule implementing those

[[Page 58186]]

specifications, which is anticipated to publish in March 2026.

Other Actions Affecting the 2026 and 2027 GOA Harvest Specifications

In October 2025, the Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF), which manages
fisheries in State of Alaska (State) waters, adopted a proposal to
increase the South Alaska Peninsula guideline harvest level (GHL) from
30 percent to 35 percent. This action affects the available Pacific cod
TAC in the Western GOA and subsequent sectors whose allocations are
derived from the Western GOA TAC because the TAC is adjusted to account
for the GHL amount. NMFS intends to reflect this change in the final
2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for Pacific cod TAC and
allocations for the Western GOA.

Proposed Allowable Biological Catch (ABC) and TAC Specifications

In October 2025, the Council, its Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC), and its Advisory Panel (AP) reviewed the most recent
biological and harvest information on the condition of the GOA
groundfish stocks. The Council's GOA Groundfish Plan Team (Plan Team)
compiled and presented this information in the final 2024 SAFE report
for the GOA groundfish fisheries, dated December 2024 (see ADDRESSES).
The SAFE report contains a review of the latest scientific analyses and
estimates of each species' biomass and other biological parameters
including possible future condition of the stocks, as well as summaries
of the available information on the GOA ecosystem and the economic
condition of the GOA groundfish fisheries off Alaska. The SAFE provides
information to the Council and NMFS for recommending and setting,
respectively, annual harvest levels for each stock and documenting
significant trends or changes in the resource, marine ecosystems, and
fisheries over time. An appendix to the SAFE report is the Ecosystem
Status Reports (ESRs). The ESRs compile and summarize information about
the status of the Alaska marine ecosystems for the Plan Team, SSC, AP,
Council, NMFS, and the public, and are updated annually. These ESRs
include ecosystem report cards, ecosystem assessments, and ecosystem-
based management indicators (e.g., climate indices, sea surface
temperature) which together provide context for ecosystem-based
fisheries management in Alaska. The ESRs inform stock assessments and
are integrated in the annual harvest recommendations through inclusion
in stock assessment-specific risk tables. Also, the ESR information
provides context for the SSC's recommendations for overfishing limits
(OFL) and ABCs, as well as for the Council's TAC recommendations. The
SAFE reports and the ESRs are typically presented at the October and
December Council meetings before the SSC, AP, and the Council make
groundfish harvest specification recommendations and aid NMFS in
implementing these annual groundfish harvest specifications.
In addition to the 2024 SAFE report, the Plan Team, SSC, and
Council also reviewed preliminary 2025 survey data, updates on
ecological and socioeconomic profiles for certain species, and
summaries of potential changes to models and methodologies. From these
data and analyses, the Plan Team recommends, and the SSC sets, the
proposed OFL and ABC for each species and species group. The proposed
2026 and 2027 OFLs and ABCs are based on the 2024 SAFE report. The AP
and Council recommended that the proposed 2026 and 2027 TACs be set
equal to proposed ABCs for all species and species groups, with the
exception of the species and species groups further discussed below.
The individual stock assessments that comprise, in part, the 2024 SAFE
report are available at: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/population-assessments/north-pacific-groundfish-stock-assessment-and-fishery-evaluation">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/population-assessments/north-pacific-groundfish-stock-assessment-and-fishery-evaluation</a>.
The proposed 2026 and 2027 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best
available biological and scientific information, including projected
biomass trends, information on assumed distribution of stock biomass,
and revised technical methods used to calculate stock biomass. The FMP
specifies the tiers to be used to calculate OFLs and ABCs. The tier
applicable to a particular stock or stock complex is determined by the
level of reliable information available to the fisheries scientists.
This information is categorized into a successive series of six tiers
to define OFLs and ABCs, with tier 1 representing the highest level of
information quality available and tier 6 representing the lowest level
of information quality available. The Plan Team used the FMP tier
structure to calculate OFLs and ABCs for each groundfish species. The
SSC adopted the proposed 2026 and 2027 OFLs and ABCs recommended by the
Plan Team for all groundfish species. The proposed 2026 and 2027 TACs
are based on the best available biological and socioeconomic
information. In making its recommendations, the Council adopted the
SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations for
all groundfish species.
NMFS has reviewed the recommendations of the SSC and Council for
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for target species and species groups in the GOA
as well as any other relevant information. Based on that review, NMFS
is proposing the OFLs, ABCs, and TACs set forth in the tables of this
proposed rule as consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the FMP, and
other applicable law, subject to further review and consideration after
public comment.

Potential Changes Between Proposed and Final Specifications

In November of each year, the Plan Team typically updates the SAFE
report to include new information collected such as NMFS surveys,
revised stock assessments drafted by stock assessment authors, and
catch data. Due to the lapse in appropriations and resulting government
shutdown from October 1, 2025, through November 12, 2025, the stock
assessment authors were not able to complete their assessments and the
Plan Team did not meet in November to review and update the 2024 SAFE
report.
At the December 2025 Council meeting, the SSC and Council plan to
consider the most recent and complete SAFE, ecosystem information
presented in September/October as well as updated information on
climate and oceanography, and other information including updated catch
reports and survey information. The Council will also consider, as it
normally does, SSC and AP recommendations, public testimony, and
relevant written public comments in recommending the final 2026 and
2027 harvest specifications. Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(2) and (3),
the Council could recommend that NMFS adjust the final TACs, if
warranted, based on the biological condition of groundfish stocks or a
variety of socioeconomic considerations, or if required for the sum of
TACs to fall within the OY range.
In previous years, the most significant changes to the OFLs and
ABCs from the proposed to the final harvest specifications have been
based on the most recent NMFS stock surveys and model updates. These
surveys provide updated estimates of stock biomass and spatial
distribution, and inform changes to the models used for producing stock
assessments. At the September 2025 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists
presented updated and new survey results. Scientists also discussed
potential changes to assessment models, and accompanying preliminary
stock

[[Page 58187]]

estimates. At the October 2025 Council meeting, the SSC reviewed this
information. Normally, the Plan Team would then review survey results,
model changes, and updated stock assessments for groundfish stocks at
the November Plan Team meeting, which the SSC would then review, along
with the Plan Team recommendations, at the December SSC meeting. Model
changes based on SSC recommendations often result in changes to final
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs. This year, however, there are likely to be
limited changes between the proposed and final specifications because
no model reruns or additional review could be completed by the Plan
Team due to the lapse in appropriations and the government shutdown.

Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts

The combined Western and Central Regulatory Areas and the West
Yakutat (WYK) District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (W/C/WYK) pollock
TAC and the GOA Pacific cod TACs are set to account for the GHLs for
the State waters pollock and Pacific cod fisheries so that the ABCs are
not exceeded. The GOA-wide octopus TAC accounts for the GHL of 16 mt
(35,000 lbs rounded). These reductions are described below. The
shallow-water flatfish TAC in the Western Regulatory Area, arrowtooth
flounder TAC in the Western Regulatory Area, and flathead sole TAC in
the Western Regulatory Area are set to allow for increased harvest
opportunities for these target species while conserving the halibut PSC
limit for use in other fisheries. The Atka mackerel TAC is set to
accommodate incidental catch amounts (ICA) in other fisheries. The
other rockfish TAC in the Southeast Outside (SEO) District of the
Eastern Regulatory Area is set to reduce discards of species in that
complex.
NMFS's proposed apportionments of groundfish species are based on
the distribution of biomass among the regulatory areas over which NMFS
manages the species. Additional regulations govern the apportionment of
pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. Additional detail on
apportionments of pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish are described
below.
The proposed 2026 and 2027 TAC for the pollock stock in the
combined W/C/WYK Regulatory Area is set to account for the GHL
established by the State for the Prince William Sound (PWS) pollock
fishery. The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council have recommended that the
sum of all pollock removals from State waters and Federal waters
pollock in the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. State fisheries
managers set the PWS GHL at 2.5 percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock
ABC. For 2026 and 2027, this would yield a projected PWS pollock GHL of
3,326 mt, a decrease of 26.5 percent from the 2025 PWS GHL of 4,526 mt.
After reductions for the PWS GHL, the remaining 2026 and 2027 W/C/WYK
pollock ABC is then apportioned among four statistical areas (areas
610, 620, 630, and 640), as described below and detailed in table 1.
The total TACs for the four statistical areas, plus the State GHL, do
not exceed the W/C/WYK pollock ABC. For 2026 and 2027, the proposed W/
C/WYK pollock ABC is 133,075 mt, and the proposed TAC is 129,749 mt.
Apportionments of pollock to the W/C/WYK management areas are
considered to be apportionments of the TAC. This more accurately
reflects that such apportionments address management concerns, rather
than biological or conservation concerns. In addition, apportionments
in this manner allow NMFS to balance any transfer of TAC among Areas
610, 620, and 630 pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) to ensure that
the ABC, ACL, and total TAC for the stock (W/C/WYK pollock) are not
exceeded.
NMFS proposes pollock TACs in the Western Regulatory Area (area
610), Central Regulatory Area (areas 620 and 630), the West Yakutat
District (area 640), and the SEO District (area 650) of the GOA (see
table 1). NMFS also proposes seasonal apportionment of the annual
pollock TAC in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
among Statistical areas 610, 620, and 630. These apportionments are
divided equally among the following two seasons: the A season (January
20 through May 31) and the B season (September 1 through November 1)
(Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(2) and 679.20(a)(5)(iv)). Additional detail is
provided below in table 2.
The proposed 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod TACs are set to account for
the State's GHLs for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS (in the Eastern Regulatory
Area) (see table 1). The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council recommended
that the sum of all Pacific cod removals from State waters and Federal
waters in the GOA not exceed ABC recommendations. Accordingly, the
Council recommended the 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod TACs in the Western,
Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas to account for State GHLs.
Therefore, the proposed 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod TACs are reduced by
the following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,455 mt; (2) Central GOA,
4,816 mt; and (3) Eastern GOA, 687 mt. These amounts reflect the
State's 2026 and 2027 GHLs in these areas, which are 30 percent for the
Western GOA, and 25 percent for the Eastern and Central GOA.
The Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs are allocated among
various gear and operational sectors. NMFS also establishes seasonal
apportionments of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas. The Pacific cod sector allocations and
seasonal apportionments are discussed in detail in a subsequent section
and in table 4 of this proposed rule.
The Council's recommendation for sablefish area apportionments
takes into account the prohibition on the use of trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (Sec. 679.7(b)(1)) and makes
available 5 percent of the Eastern Regulatory Area (WYK and SEO
Districts combined) TAC to vessels using trawl gear for use as
incidental catch in other trawl groundfish fisheries in the WYK
District (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)). Additional detail is provided below.
Tables 5 and 6 list the proposed 2026 and 2027 allocations of the
sablefish TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the GOA.
For 2026 and 2027, the Council recommends, and NMFS proposes, the
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs listed in table 1. These amounts are consistent
with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as described in the
2024 SAFE report. The proposed ABCs reflect harvest amounts that are
less than the specified OFLs. The proposed TACs are adjusted for other
biological and socioeconomic considerations and do not exceed the ABCs.
The sum of the proposed TACs for all GOA groundfish is 464,741 mt for
2026 and 2027, which is within the OY range specified by the FMP. These
proposed amounts and apportionments by area, season, and sector are
subject to change pending consideration of the SSC and AP
recommendations, public comment, and the Council's recommendations for
the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications during its December 2025
meeting. The final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications will be
effective for one year from the publication of the final rule
implementing those specifications, which is anticipated to publish in
March 2026.

[[Page 58188]]

Table 1--Proposed 2026 and 2027 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat,
Western, Central, and Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, and Gulf-Wide District of the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Area \1\ OFL ABC TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \2\........................... Shumagin (610).......... .............. 27,453 27,453
Chirikof (620).......... .............. 60,477 60,477
Kodiak (630)............ .............. 37,936 37,936
WYK (640)............... .............. 3,883 3,883
W/C/WYK (subtotal)...... 153,971 133,075 129,749
SEO (650)............... 12,998 9,749 9,749
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 166,969 142,824 139,498
Pacific Cod \3\....................... W....................... .............. 8,182 5,727
C....................... .............. 19,263 14,447
E....................... .............. 2,748 2,061
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 36,459 30,193 22,235
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... .............. 4,687 4,687
C....................... .............. 9,622 9,622
WYK..................... .............. 2,652 2,652
SEO..................... .............. 5,589 5,589
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal TAC........... .............. n/a 22,550
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 57,797 47,008 n/a
Shallow-water flatfish \5\............ W....................... .............. 23,902 13,250
C....................... .............. 28,455 28,455
WYK..................... .............. 2,846 2,846
SEO..................... .............. 1,707 1,707
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 69,610 56,910 46,258
Deep-water Flatfish \6\............... W....................... .............. 231 231
C....................... .............. 2,568 2,568
WYK..................... .............. 1,795 1,795
SEO..................... .............. 2,238 2,238
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 8,114 6,832 6,832
Rex sole.............................. W....................... .............. 3,353 3,353
C....................... .............. 13,582 13,582
WYK..................... .............. 1,413 1,413
SEO..................... .............. 2,825 2,825
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 25,743 21,173 21,173
Arrowtooth flounder................... W....................... .............. 33,716 14,500
C....................... .............. 68,511 68,511
WYK..................... .............. 6,719 6,719
SEO..................... .............. 11,039 11,039
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 143,347 119,985 100,769
Flathead sole......................... W....................... .............. 13,757 8,650
C....................... .............. 22,083 22,083
WYK..................... .............. 4,018 4,018
SEO..................... .............. 2,122 2,122
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 51,176 41,980 36,873
Pacific ocean perch \7\............... W....................... .............. 1,688 1,688
C....................... .............. 27,156 27,156
WYK..................... .............. 1,993 1,993
SEO..................... .............. 6,672 6,672
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 44,826 37,509 37,509
Northern rockfish \8\................. W....................... .............. 1,346 1,346
C....................... .............. 3,549 3,549
E....................... n/a n/a 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 5,848 4,895 4,895
Shortraker rockfish \9\............... W....................... .............. 34 34
C....................... .............. 189 189
E....................... .............. 424 424
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 863 647 647
Dusky rockfish \10\................... W....................... .............. 199 199
C....................... .............. 5,527 5,527

[[Page 58189]]

WYK..................... .............. 204 204
SEO..................... .............. 91 91
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 7,319 6,021 6,021
Rougheye/Blackspotted rockfish \11\... W....................... .............. 229 229
C....................... 366 366
E....................... .............. 608 608
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 1,631 1,203 1,203
Demersal shelf rockfish \12\.......... W/C/WYK................. 361 271 271
SEO..................... 524 394 394
Thornyhead rockfish \13\.............. W....................... .............. 206 206
C....................... .............. 590 590
E....................... .............. 542 542
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 1,784 1,338 1,338
Other rockfish \14\................... W/C/WYK................. .............. 1,084 1,084
SEO..................... .............. 2,421 300
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 4,618 3,505 1,384
Atka mackerel......................... GW...................... 6,200 4,700 3,000
Big skate \15\........................ W....................... .............. 745 745
C....................... .............. 1,749 1,749
E....................... .............. 341 341
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 3,780 2,835 2,835
Longnose skate \16\................... W....................... .............. 104 104
C....................... .............. 1,894 1,894
E....................... .............. 538 538
-----------------------------------------------
Total.................. 3,380 2,536 2,536
Other skates \17\..................... GW...................... 887 665 665
Sharks................................ GW...................... 6,521 4,891 4,891
Octopuses............................. GW...................... 1,307 980 964
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................. Total.................. 649,064 539,295 464,741
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W = Western Gulf of Alaska; C = Central Gulf of
Alaska; E = Eastern Gulf of Alaska; WYK = West Yakutat District; SEO = Southeast Outside District; GW =
Gulfwide).
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 133,075. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,326 mt) of
the ABC for the State's pollock GHL fishery, the remaining amount of 129,749 mt (for the W/C/WYK Regulatory
Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). The TACs in Areas 610, 620,
and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in table 2 (proposed 2026 and 2027 seasonal biomass
distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal
allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern
Regulatory Area, pollock TACs are not divided into seasonal allowances.
\3\ The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: (1)
63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season; and (2) 64.16 percent to the A season and
35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA, respectively. The
Pacific cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting
Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for
processing by the offshore component. Table 4 lists the proposed 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod seasonal
apportionments and sector allocations.
\4\ The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (57,797 mt and 47,008 mt, respectively), and the GOA sablefish
TAC is 22,550 mt. Tables 5 and 6 list the proposed 2026 and 2027 allocations of sablefish TACs.
\5\ ``Shallow-water flatfish'' means flatfish not including ``deep-water flatfish,'' flathead sole, rex sole, or
arrowtooth flounder.
\6\ ``Deep-water flatfish'' means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deep sea sole.
\7\ ``Pacific ocean perch'' means Sebastes alutus.
\8\ ``Northern rockfish'' means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the 1 mt apportionment of ABC to
the WYK District of the Eastern Regulatory Area has been included in the other rockfish species group.
\9\ ``Shortraker rockfish'' means Sebastes borealis.
\10\ ``Dusky rockfish'' means Sebastes variabilis.
\11\ ``Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish'' means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus
(blackspotted).
\12\ ``Demersal shelf rockfish'' means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper),
S. maliger (quillback), S. helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye).
\13\ ``Thornyhead rockfish'' means Sebastolobus species.
\14\ ``Other rockfish'' means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio),
S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri (darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S.
wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani
(shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergray), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus
(vermilion), S. reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA
only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish (S. polyspinous).
\15\ Other rockfish in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District of the Eastern
Regulatory Area means all rockfish species included in the other rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish
categories. The other rockfish species group in the SEO District only includes other rockfish.
\16\ ``Big skates'' means Beringraja binoculata.
\17\ ``Longnose skates'' means Raja rhina.

[[Page 58190]]

\18\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja.

Proposed Apportionment of Reserves

Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to set aside 20 percent of each
TAC for pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks, and octopuses in
reserve for possible apportionment at a later date during the fishing
year. Section 679.20(b)(3) authorizes NMFS to reapportion all or part
of these reserves. In 2025, NMFS reapportioned all of the reserves in
the final harvest specifications. For 2026 and 2027, NMFS proposes
reapportionment of each of the reserves for pollock, Pacific cod,
flatfish, sharks, and octopuses back into the original TAC from which
the reserve was derived. NMFS expects, based on recent harvest
patterns, that such reserves will not be necessary and that the entire
TAC for each of these species will be caught or are needed to promote
efficient fisheries. The TACs in table 1 reflect this proposed
reapportionment of reserve amounts to the original TAC for these
species and species groups (i.e., each proposed TAC for the above-
mentioned species or species groups contains the full TAC recommended
by the Council).

Proposed Apportionments of Pollock TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory
Areas, and Allocations for Processing by Inshore and Offshore
Components

In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by season and is further
allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components. Pursuant
to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC specified for the
Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is apportioned into two
seasonal allowances of 50 percent. As established by Sec.
679.23(d)(2), the A and B season allowances are available from January
20 through May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively.
Pollock TACs in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA
are apportioned among statistical areas 610, 620, and 630 in proportion
to the distribution of pollock biomass determined by the most recent
NMFS surveys, pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). The pollock
chapter of the 2024 SAFE report (see ADDRESSES) contains a
comprehensive description of the apportionment and reasons for the
minor changes from past apportionments. Pollock is specified between
two seasons for the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA (A
and B seasons). There are four seasonal apportionments: A, B, C, and D
seasons, as outlined in the 2024 GOA pollock assessment in the 2024
SAFE report. The GOA pollock stock assessment continues to use a four-
season methodology to determine pollock distribution in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA to maintain continuity in the
historical pollock apportionment time-series. A and B seasons from the
assessment are aggregated into the A season for the purposes of
specifications and C and D seasons from the assessment are aggregated
into the B season for the purposes of specifications. This method is
described and calculated in the 2024 GOA pollock assessment.
Within any fishing year, the amount by which a seasonal allowance
is underharvested or overharvested may be added to, or subtracted from,
the subsequent seasonal allowance in a manner to be determined by the
Regional Administrator (Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover amount
is limited to 20 percent of the subsequent seasonal TAC apportionment
for the statistical area. Any unharvested pollock above the 20-percent
limit could be further distributed to the subsequent season in the
other statistical areas, in proportion to the estimated biomass of the
subsequent season and in an amount no more than 20 percent of the
seasonal TAC allowance in those statistical areas (Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The proposed 2026 and 2027 pollock TACs in the
WYK District of 3,883 mt and the SEO District of 9,749 mt are not
allocated by season.
Table 2 lists the proposed 2026 and 2027 area apportionments and
seasonal allowances of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory
Areas. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and
offshore components are not shown. Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires
allocation of 100 percent of the pollock TAC in all regulatory areas
and all seasonal allowances to vessels catching pollock for processing
by the inshore component after subtraction of amounts projected by the
Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore
component incidental to directed fishing for other groundfish species.
Thus, the amount of pollock available for harvest by vessels harvesting
pollock for processing by the offshore component is the amount that
will be taken as incidental catch during directed fishing for
groundfish species other than pollock, up to the maximum retainable
amounts allowed by Sec. 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these ICAs of
pollock are unknown and will be determined during the fishing year
during the course of fishing activities by the offshore component.

Table 2--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Area Apportionments Based on the Distribution of Pollock in the Central and
Western Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC \1\
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \2\ Shumagin (610) Chirikof (620) Kodiak (630) Total \3\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A season........................................ 4,109 46,510 12,314 62,933
B season........................................ 23,344 13,967 25,622 62,933
---------------------------------------------------------------
Annual total................................ 27,453 60,477 37,936 125,866
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding.
\2\ As established by Sec. 679.23(d)(2), the A and B season allowances are available from January 20 through
May 31 and September 1 through November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore
and offshore components are not shown in this table.
\3\ The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not
included in the total pollock TACs shown in this table.

[[Page 58191]]

Proposed Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC

NMFS proposes allocations for the 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod TACs in
the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA among gear and
operational sectors consistent with Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i), which sets
forth the sector allocations by percentage of TAC. NMFS also proposes
seasonal apportionments of the Pacific cod TACs in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas consistent with Sec. 679.20(a)(12), which
specifies the apportionments by season for gear and operational
sectors. A portion of the annual TAC is apportioned to the A season for
hook-and-line, pot, and jig gear from January 1 through June 10, and
for trawl gear from January 20 through June 10. The remainder of the
annual TAC is apportioned to the B season for jig gear from June 10
through December 31, for hook-and-line and pot gear from September 1
through December 31, and for trawl gear from September 1 through
November 1 (Sec. Sec. 679.23(d)(3) and 679.20(a)(12)). NMFS also
proposes allocating the 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod TACs annually between
the inshore (90 percent) and offshore (10 percent) components in the
Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA as required by Sec.
679.20(a)(6)(ii).
In the Western GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is apportioned seasonally
first to vessels using jig gear, and then among catcher vessels (CV)
using hook-and-line gear, catcher/processors (CP) using hook-and-line
gear, CVs using trawl gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels using pot
gear (Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod
TAC is apportioned seasonally first to vessels using jig gear, and then
among CVs less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) in length overall using
hook-and-line gear, CVs equal to or greater than 50 feet (15.2 m) in
length overall using hook-and-line gear, CPs using hook-and-line gear,
CVs using trawl gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels using pot gear
(Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). For 2026 and 2027, NMFS proposes
apportioning the jig sector allocations for the Western and Central GOA
between the A season (60 percent) and the B season (40 percent) as
required by Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i). Excluding seasonal apportionments
to the jig gear sector, NMFS proposes apportioning the remainder of the
annual Pacific cod TACs as required by Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i) as
follows: the seasonal apportionments of the annual TAC in the Western
GOA are 63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B
season, and in the Central GOA are 64.16 percent to the A season and
35.84 percent to the B season.
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage or underage of the
Pacific cod allowance from the A season may be subtracted from, or
added to, the subsequent B season allowance. In addition, any portion
of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, or jig sector allocations that is
determined by NMFS as likely to go unharvested by a sector may be
reallocated to other sectors for harvest during the remainder of the
fishing year consistent with the factors set forth in 50 CFR part 679.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western and Central GOA will be
allocated to vessels that use jig gear before the TACs are apportioned
among other non-jig sectors. In accordance with the FMP, the annual jig
sector allocations may increase to up to 6 percent of the annual
Western and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs, depending on the annual
performance of the jig sector (see table 1 of amendment 83 to the FMP
for a detailed discussion of the jig sector allocation process (76 FR
74670, December 1, 2011)). Jig sector allocation increases are
established for a minimum of 2 years.
NMFS has evaluated the historical harvest performance of the jig
sector in the Western and Central GOA and is proposing the 2026 and
2027 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector based on its historical
harvest performance through 2025, a process established by amendment
83. For 2026 and 2027 in the Western GOA, NMFS proposes that the jig
sector receive 2.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC. The 2026 and
2027 allocation consists of a base allocation of 1.5 percent of the
Western GOA Pacific cod TAC and a remaining harvest performance
allocation of 1 percent. The jig sector is unlikely to reach 90 percent
of the Western GOA Pacific cod allocation for the 2025 fishing year.
Because the jig sector did not reach 90 percent of the Western GOA
Pacific cod allocation in the 2024 fishing year either, NMFS proposes
that the harvest performance allocation decrease by 1 percent from the
prior year allocation of 3.5 percent. For 2026 and 2027 in the Central
GOA, NMFS proposes that the jig sector receive 4 percent of the annual
Pacific cod TAC. The 2026 and 2027 allocation consists of a base
allocation of 1 percent and a harvest performance increase of 3 percent
based on harvest performance through October 2025 because the jig
sector reached 90 percent of its Central GOA Pacific cod allocation for
the 2025 fishing year. The Pacific cod jig allocations, catch, and
percent allocation changes from 2014 to 2025 are listed in table 3.

Table 3--Summary of Western GOA and Central GOA Pacific Cod Catch by Jig Gear in 2014 Through 2025, and Corresponding Percent Allocation Changes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent caught Greater than
Area Year Initial Initial TAC Catch (mt) of initial 90% of initial Change to percent
percent of TAC allocation allocation allocation? allocation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA....................... 2014 2.5 573 785 137 Y Increase 1.
2015 3.5 948 55 6 N None.
2016 3.5 992 52 5 N Decrease 1.
2017 2.5 635 49 8 N Decrease 1.
2018 1.5 125 121 97 Y Increase 1.
2019 2.5 134 134 100 Y Increase 1.
2020 \1\ n/a
2021 3.5 195 26 13 N None.
2022 3.5 243 2 1 N Decrease 1.
2023 2.5 131 131 101 Y Increase 1.
2024 3.5 214 17 8 N None.
2025 3.5 213 89 42 N Decrease 1.
Central GOA....................... 2014 2 797 262 33 N Decrease 1.
2015 1 460 355 77 N None.
2016 1 370 267 72 N None.
2017 1 331 18 6 N None.
2018 1 61 0 0 N None.
2019 1 58 30 52 N None.

[[Page 58192]]

2020 \1\ n/a
2021 1 102 26 26 N None.
2022 1 113 3 3 N None.
2023 1 111 246 222 Y Increase 1.
2024 2 309 303 98 Y Increase 1.
2025 3 462 444 96 Y Increase 1.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ NMFS did not evaluate the 2020 performance of the jig sectors in the Western and Central GOA because NMFS prohibited directed fishing for all
Pacific cod sectors in 2020 (84 FR 70438, December 23, 2019).

NMFS intends to re-evaluate the annual 2025 harvest performance of
the jig sector in the Western and Central GOA when the 2025 fishing
year is complete to determine whether to change the jig sector
allocations proposed by this action in conjunction with the final 2026
and 2027 harvest specifications. Given the current trajectory of
harvest in the jig sector, it is unlikely that the allocations will
change from what is described here. The current catch through November
2025 by the Western and Central GOA jig sectors indicates that the
Pacific cod allocation percentage to the Western GOA jig sector would
decrease by 1 percent and the Central GOA jig sector would increase by
1 percent, which is reflected in the proposed allocations for the jig
sector listed in table 4.
Table 4 lists the seasonal apportionments and allocations of the
proposed 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod TACs.

Table 4--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocations of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the GOA;
Allocations to the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing
Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Season B Season
Annual sector A Season sector B Season
Regulatory area and sector allocation percentages of allowances percentages of allowances
(mt) annual non-jig (mt) annual non-jig (mt)
TAC TAC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western GOA:
Jig (2.5% of TAC)........... 143 n/a 86 n/a 57
Hook-and-line CV............ 78 0.7 39 0.7 39
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,106 10.9 609 8.9 497
Trawl CV.................... 2,144 31.54 1,761 6.86 383
Trawl CP.................... 134 0.9 50 1.5 84
Pot CV and Pot CP........... 2,122 19.8 1,106 18.2 1,016
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 5,727 63.84 3,651 36.16 2,076
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central GOA:
Jig (4% of TAC)............. 578 n/a 347 n/a 231
Hook-and-line <50 CV........ 2,025 9.32 1,292 5.29 733
Hook-and-line > = 50 CV..... 930 5.61 778 1.1 152
Hook-and-line CP............ 708 4.11 570 1 138
Trawl CV.................... 5,767 25.29 3,508 16.29 2,259
Trawl CP \1\................ 582 2 278 2.19 304
Pot CV and Pot CP........... 3,856 17.83 2,473 9.98 1,383
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 14,447 64.16 9,245 35.84 5,202
---------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... .............. Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 2,061 1,855
206
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Trawl catcher vessels participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 550 mt, of the
annual Central GOA Pacific cod TAC (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679). This apportionment is deducted from the
Trawl CV B season allowance (see table 9: Proposed 2026 and 2027 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species
in the Central GOA and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679).

Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels Using
Fixed Gear and Trawl Gear

Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) requires allocations of sablefish
TACs for each of the regulatory areas and districts to fixed and trawl
gear. In the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 80 percent of each
TAC is allocated to fixed gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is allocated
to trawl gear. In the Eastern Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC is
allocated to fixed gear, and 5 percent is allocated to trawl gear. The
trawl gear allocation in the Eastern Regulatory Area may be used only
to support incidental catch of sablefish while

[[Page 58193]]

directed fishing for other target species using trawl gear (Sec.
679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council recommended, and
NMFS proposes, specifying for incidental catch the allocation of 5
percent of the Eastern Regulatory Area sablefish (WYK and SEO Districts
combined) TAC to trawl gear in the WYK District of the Eastern
Regulatory Area. The remainder of the WYK District sablefish TAC is
allocated to vessels using fixed gear. This proposed action allocates
100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO District to vessels using
fixed gear. This results in proposed 2026 allocations of 412 mt to
trawl gear and 2,240 mt to fixed gear in the WYK District, and a
proposed 2026 allocation of 5,589 mt to fixed gear in the SEO District.
The Council recommended that the trawl sablefish TAC be established for
2 years so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl
gear could commence in January in the second year of the groundfish
harvest specifications. Table 5 lists the allocations of the proposed
2026 sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl gear. Table 6 lists the
allocations of the proposed 2027 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
The Council also recommended, and NMFS proposes, that the fixed
gear sablefish TAC be established annually to ensure that the sablefish
individual fishing quota (IFQ) fishery is conducted concurrently with
the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on the most recent survey
information. Since NMFS anticipates publishing the final harvest
specifications before the IFQ season begins (typically, in early
March), the Council recommended, and NMFS proposes, that the fixed gear
sablefish TAC be set annually, rather than for 2 years. Accordingly,
table 5 lists the proposed 2026 fixed gear allocations. The 2027 fixed
gear allocations will be specified in the final 2027 and 2028 harvest
specifications.
With the exception of the trawl allocations that are provided to
the Rockfish Program (see Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679), directed
fishing for sablefish with trawl gear is typically closed during the
fishing year (see table 27 of the final 2025 and 2026 GOA harvest
specifications, 90 FR 12468, March 18, 2025). Also, fishing for
groundfish with trawl gear is prohibited prior to January 20 (Sec.
679.23(c)). Therefore, it is not likely that the sablefish allocation
to trawl gear would be reached before the effective date of the final
2026 and 2027 harvest specifications.

Table 5--Proposed 2026 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 4,687 3,750 937
Central \1\..................................................... 9,622 7,698 1,924
West Yakutat \2\................................................ 2,652 2,240 412
Southeast Outside............................................... 5,589 5,589 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 22,550 19,277 3,273
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The proposed trawl allocation of sablefish to the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the
Rockfish Program cooperatives (990 mt). See table 9: Proposed 2026 and 2027 Apportionments of Rockfish
Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 934 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program
trawl fisheries.
\2\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat
District.

Table 6--Proposed 2027 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the Gulf of Alaska and Allocations to Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation \1\ allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 4,687 n/a 937
Central \2\..................................................... 9,622 n/a 1,949
West Yakutat \3\................................................ 2,652 n/a 412
Southeast Outside............................................... 5,589 n/a 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 22,550 n/a 3,273
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Council recommended, and NMFS proposes, that the 2027 harvest specifications for the fixed gear
sablefish IFQ fisheries not be specified in the 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications. The 2027 fixed gear
allocations will be specified in the final 2027 and 2028 harvest specifications.
\2\ The proposed trawl allocation of sablefish to the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the
Rockfish Program cooperatives (990 mt). See table 9: Proposed 2026 and 2027 Apportionments of Rockfish
Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 934 mt being available for the non-Rockfish Program
trawl fisheries.
\3\ The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat
and Southeast Outside Districts combined) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat
District.

Proposed Allocations, Apportionments, and Sideboard Limitations for the
Rockfish Program

These proposed 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for the GOA
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations
established by the Rockfish Program. Participants in the Rockfish
Program are primarily trawl CVs and trawl CPs, with limited
participation by vessels using longline gear. The Rockfish Program
assigns quota share and cooperative quota to trawl participants for
primary species (i.e., Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, and
dusky rockfish) and secondary species (i.e., Pacific cod, rougheye and
blackspotted rockfish,

[[Page 58194]]

sablefish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish), allows a
participant holding a Limited License Program (LLP) license with
rockfish quota share to form a rockfish cooperative with other persons,
and allows holders of CP LLP licenses to opt out of the fishery. The
Rockfish Program also has an entry level fishery for rockfish primary
species for vessels using longline gear. Longline gear includes hook-
and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear.
Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish primary species in the Central
GOA are allocated to participants after deducting for incidental catch
needs in other directed fisheries (Sec. 679.81(a)(2)). Participants in
the Rockfish Program also receive a portion of the Central GOA TAC of
specific secondary species. In addition to groundfish species, the
Rockfish Program allocates a portion of the halibut PSC limit (191 mt)
from the third season deep-water species fishery allowance for the GOA
trawl fisheries to Rockfish Program participants (Sec. 679.81(d) and
Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679). The Rockfish Program also establishes
sideboard limits to restrict the ability of participating harvesters to
increase their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program fisheries.
These restrictions and halibut PSC limits are discussed in the Rockfish
Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations section of
this proposed rule.
Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and Table 28e to 50 CFR part 679 require
allocations of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of northern rockfish,
and 50 mt of dusky rockfish to the entry level longline fishery in 2026
and 2027. The allocations of primary species to the entry level
longline fishery may increase incrementally each year if the catch
exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of a species. The incremental
increase in the allocations would continue each year until reaching the
maximum percentage of the TAC for that species. In 2025, the catch for
all three primary species did not exceed 90 percent of any allocated
rockfish species. Therefore, NMFS is not proposing any increases to the
2026 and 2027 entry level longline fishery allocations in the Central
GOA. The remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary species, after
subtracting the ICAs, would be allocated to the CV and CP cooperatives
(Sec. 679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 7 lists the allocations of the
proposed 2026 and 2027 TACs for each rockfish primary species to the
entry level longline fishery, the potential incremental increases for
future years, and the maximum percentages of the TACs of the rockfish
primary species allocations to the entry level longline fishery.

Table 7--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry Level Longline Fishery in
the Central Gulf of Alaska
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in
Proposed 2026 and 2026 if >90 percent of Up to maximum
Rockfish primary species 2027 allocations 2025 allocation is percent of TAC
(mt) harvested (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.............................. 5 5 1
Northern rockfish................................ 5 5 2
Dusky rockfish................................... 50 20 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or CP cooperatives are
not included in these proposed harvest specifications. Rockfish Program
applications for CV cooperatives and CP cooperatives are not due to
NMFS until March 1 of each calendar year; therefore, NMFS cannot
calculate 2026 and 2027 cooperative allocations in conjunction with
these proposed harvest specifications. Cooperative allocations are
calculated based on the formulas set forth in Sec. 679.81(b), (c), and
(e). NMFS will announce the 2026 cooperative allocations after March 1
in the Federal Register.
Table 8 lists the proposed 2026 and 2027 allocations of rockfish
primary species in the Central GOA to the entry level longline fishery
and to the rockfish program participants. NMFS also proposes setting
aside ICAs for other directed fisheries in the Central GOA of 3,500 mt
of Pacific ocean perch, 300 mt of northern rockfish, and 250 mt of
dusky rockfish. These amounts are based on recent average incidental
catches in the Central GOA by other groundfish fisheries.

Table 8--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central Gulf of Alaska to the
Entry Level Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial
Incidental allocation to Allocation to
Species TAC catch TAC minus ICA entry level rockfish program
allowance \1\ participants \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch........... 27,156 3,500 23,656 5 23,651
Northern rockfish............. 3,549 300 3,249 5 3,244
Dusky rockfish................ 5,527 250 5,277 50 5,227
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total..................... 36,232 4,050 32,182 60 32,122
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish Program participants include vessels in CV and CP Rockfish Program cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).

Section 679.81(c) and Table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 require
allocations of rockfish secondary species to CV and CP cooperatives in
the Central GOA. CV cooperatives receive allocations of Pacific cod,
sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. CP
cooperatives receive allocations of sablefish from the trawl gear
allocation,

[[Page 58195]]

rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead
rockfish. Table 9 lists the apportionments of the proposed 2026 and
2027 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA to CV and CP
cooperatives.

Table 9--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to Catcher
Vessel and Catcher/Processor Cooperatives
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CV CV CP CP
Central GOA cooperatives cooperatives cooperatives cooperatives
Rockfish secondary species annual TAC percentage of apportionment percentage of apportionment
TAC (mt) TAC (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod..................... 14,447 3.81 550 n/a n/a
Sablefish....................... 9,622 6.78 652 3.51 338
Shortraker rockfish............. 189 n/a n/a 40 76
Rougheye/blackspotted rockfish.. 366 n/a n/a 58.87 215
Thornyhead rockfish............. 590 7.84 46 26.5 156
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut PSC Limits

Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments to trawl and hook-and-line gear, and authorizes the
establishment of apportionments for pot gear. In October 2025, the
Council recommended, and NMFS proposes, halibut PSC limits of 1,705 mt
for trawl gear, 256 mt for hook-and-line gear, and 9 mt for the
demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery in the SEO District for both 2026
and 2027.
The DSR fishery in the SEO District is defined at Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the halibut
PSC limit in recognition of its small-scale harvests of groundfish
(Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). The separate halibut PSC limit for the DSR
fishery is intended to prevent that fishery from being impacted from
the halibut PSC incurred by other GOA fisheries. NMFS estimates low
halibut bycatch in the DSR fishery because: (1) the duration of the DSR
fisheries and the gear soak times are short; (2) the DSR fishery occurs
in the winter when there is less overlap in the distribution of DSR and
halibut; and (3) the directed commercial DSR fishery has a low DSR TAC.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game sets the commercial GHL for the
DSR fishery after deducting: (1) estimates of DSR incidental catch in
all fisheries (including halibut and subsistence); and (2) the
allocation to the DSR sport fish fishery. The directed DSR fishery was
closed in 2020 and remains closed due to concerns about declining DSR
biomass.
NMFS, after consultation with the Council, proposes to exempt pot
gear, jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ fixed gear fishery categories
from the non-trawl halibut PSC limit for 2026 and 2027. NMFS, in
alignment with recommendations from the Council, is proposing these
exemptions because: (1) pot gear fisheries have low annual halibut
bycatch mortality; (2) NMFS estimates negligible halibut mortality for
the jig gear fisheries given the small amount of groundfish harvested
by jig gear, the selective nature of jig gear, and the high survival
rates of halibut caught and released with jig gear; (3) IFQ program
regulations prohibit discard of legal sized halibut if any halibut IFQ
permit holder on board a CV holds unused halibut IFQ for that vessel
category and the IFQ regulatory area in which the vessel is operating
(Sec. 679.7(f)(11)); and (4) some sablefish IFQ permit holders hold
halibut IFQ permits and are therefore required to retain the legal
sized halibut they catch while fishing sablefish IFQ.
The best available information on estimated halibut bycatch
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2025. The
calculated halibut bycatch mortality through November 8, 2025, is 283
mt for trawl gear and 79 mt for hook-and-line gear, for a total halibut
mortality of 362 mt. This halibut mortality was calculated using
observer reports extrapolated to total groundfish harvest from the NMFS
Alaska Region's catch accounting system.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorizes NMFS to seasonally
apportion the halibut PSC limits after consultation with the Council.
The FMP and regulations require that NMFS and the Council consider the
following information in seasonally apportioning halibut PSC limits:
(1) seasonal distribution of halibut; (2) seasonal distribution of
target groundfish species relative to halibut distribution; (3)
expected halibut bycatch needs on a seasonal basis relative to changes
in halibut biomass and expected catch of target groundfish species; (4)
expected bycatch rates on a seasonal basis; (5) expected changes in
directed groundfish fishing seasons; (6) expected actual start of
fishing effort; and (7) economic effects of establishing seasonal
halibut allocations on segments of the target groundfish industry.
Based on public comment, information presented in the 2024 SAFE report,
NMFS catch data, State catch data, and International Pacific Halibut
Commission (IPHC) stock assessment and mortality data, the Council may
recommend, or NMFS may make, changes to the seasonal, gear-type, or
fishery category apportionments of halibut PSC limits for the final
2026 and 2027 harvest specifications pursuant to Sec. 679.21(d)(1) and
(4).
The final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications (March 18, 2025, 90
FR 12468) list the Council's and NMFS's seasonal apportionments based
on these FMP and regulatory considerations with respect to halibut PSC
limits. The Council's and NMFS's seasonal apportionments for these
proposed 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications are unchanged from the
final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications. Table 10 lists the proposed
2026 and 2027 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and
apportionments. The halibut PSC limits in tables 10, 11, and 12 reflect
the halibut PSC limits set forth at Sec. 679.21(d)(2) and (3). Section
679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specifies that any underages or overages of
a seasonal apportionment of a halibut PSC limit will be added to or
deducted from the next respective seasonal apportionment within the
fishing year.

[[Page 58196]]

Table 10--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gear Season Percent Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trawl......................................... January 20-April 1.............. 30.50 520
April 1-July 1.................. 20 341
July 1-August 1................. 27 460
August 1-October 1.............. 7.50 128
October 1-December 31........... 15 256
-------------------------------
Total.......................... .............. 1,705
Hook-and-line (other than DSR) \1\............ January 1-June 10............... 86 220
June 10-September 1............. 2 5
September 1-December 31......... 12 31
-------------------------------
Total.......................... .............. 256
Hook-and-line (DSR)........................... January 1-December 31........... 100 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is assigned to the demersal
shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery in the SEO District and to hook-and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery.
The Council recommended, and NMFS proposes, that the fixed gear sablefish IFQ fishery, and the pot and jig
gear groundfish fisheries, be exempt from halibut PSC limits.

Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit as bycatch allowances to trawl fishery
categories listed in Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual apportionments
are based on each category's share of the anticipated halibut bycatch
mortality during a fishing year and optimization of the total amount of
groundfish harvest under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery categories
for the trawl halibut PSC limits are: (1) a deep-water species fishery,
composed of sablefish, rockfish, deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and
arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallow-water species fishery, composed
of pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, flathead sole, Atka
mackerel, skates, and ``other species'' (sharks and octopuses) (Sec.
679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut mortality incurred while directed fishing
for skates with trawl gear accrues towards the shallow-water species
fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 26320, May 12, 2004).
NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments
in part of the second season deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries for use in either fishery from May 15 through June 30 (Sec.
679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). This is intended to maintain groundfish harvest
while minimizing halibut bycatch by these sectors to the extent
practicable. This provides the trawl gear deep-water and shallow-water
species fisheries additional flexibility and the incentive to
participate in fisheries at times of the year that may have lower
halibut PSC rates relative to other times of the year.
Table 11 lists the proposed 2026 and 2027 seasonal apportionments
of trawl halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deep-water and the
shallow-water species fisheries.
Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies the amount of the trawl
halibut PSC limit that is assigned to the CV and CP sectors that are
participating in the Central GOA Rockfish Program. This includes 117 mt
of halibut PSC limit to the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC limit to
the CP sector. These amounts are allocated from the trawl deep-water
species fishery's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment. After the
combined CV and CP halibut PSC limit of 191 mt to the Rockfish Program,
149 mt remains for the trawl deep-water species fishery's halibut PSC
third seasonal apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC
limit allocated to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the general GOA trawl fisheries for the last seasonal
apportionment during the current fishing year to no more than 55
percent of the unused annual halibut PSC limit apportioned to Rockfish
Program participants. The remainder of the unused Rockfish Program
halibut PSC limit is unavailable for use by any person for the
remainder of the fishing year (Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)).

Table 11--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Apportionment of the Pacific Halibut PSC Limits Between the Trawl Gear Shallow-
Water and Deep-Water Species Fishery Categories
[Values are in metric tons]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season Shallow-water Deep-water \1\ Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20-April 1.............................................. 385 135 520
April 1-July 1.................................................. 85 256 341
July 1-August 1................................................. 120 340 460
August 1-October 1.............................................. 53 75 128
October 1-December 31 \2\....................................... n/a n/a 256
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... n/a n/a 1,705
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third
season (July 1 through August 1) deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment.
\2\ There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the
fifth season (October 1 through December 31).

Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that the halibut PSC limit
apportionment to vessels using hook-and-line gear that are not part of
the demersal shelf rockfish fishery (i.e., the other hook-and-line
fishery) must be apportioned between

[[Page 58197]]

CVs and CPs in accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction
with these harvest specifications. A comprehensive description and
example of the calculations necessary to apportion the other hook-and-
line fishery halibut PSC limit between the hook-and-line CV and CP
sectors were included in the proposed rule to implement amendment 83 to
the FMP (76 FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not repeated here.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii), the halibut PSC limit for the
other hook-and-line fishery is apportioned between the CV and CP
sectors in proportion to the total Western and Central GOA Pacific cod
allocations, which vary annually based on the proportion of the Pacific
cod biomass between the Western, Central, and Eastern GOA. Pacific cod
is apportioned among these three management areas based on the
percentage of overall biomass per area as calculated in the 2024
Pacific cod stock assessment. Information in the final 2024 SAFE report
describes this distributional calculation, which apportions ABC among
GOA regulatory areas on the basis of the three most recent stock
surveys. For 2026 and 2027, the proposed distribution of the total GOA
Pacific cod ABC is 27.1 percent to the Western GOA, 63.8 percent to the
Central GOA, and 9.1 percent to the Eastern GOA. Therefore, the
calculations made in accordance with Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii)
incorporate the most recent information on GOA Pacific cod distribution
and allocations with respect to the proposed annual halibut PSC limits
for the CV and CP hook-and-line sectors. Additionally, the annual
halibut PSC limits for both the CV and CP sectors of the other hook-
and-line fishery are proposed to be divided into three seasonal
apportionments, using seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 percent,
and 12 percent as established in Sec. 679.21(d)(4).
For 2026 and 2027, NMFS proposes annual halibut PSC limits of 149
mt and 107 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line CP sectors,
respectively. Table 12 lists the proposed 2026 and 2027 apportionments
of halibut PSC limits between the hook-and-line CV and the hook-and-
line CP sectors of the other hook-and-line fishery.
No later than November 1 of each year, NMFS will calculate the
projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit by either of the CV or CP
hook-and-line sectors of the other hook-and-line fishery for the
remainder of the year. The projected unused amount of halibut PSC limit
is made available to the other hook-and-line sector for the remainder
of that fishing year (Sec. 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)) if NMFS determines
that an additional amount of halibut PSC is necessary for that sector
to continue its directed fishing operations.

Table 12--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fishery'' Annual Halibut PSC Allowance Between the Hook-and-Line Gear
Catcher Vessel and Catcher/Processor Sectors
[Values are in metric tons]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR Sector annual Seasonal Seasonal
Sector allowance amount Season percentage amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher Vessel................................. 256 149 A season: January 1-June 10............ 86 128
B season: June 10-September 1.......... 2 3
C season: September 1-December 31...... 12 18
Catcher/Processor.............................. 107 A season: January 1-June 10............ 86 92
B season: June 10-September 1.......... 2 2
C season: September 1-December 31...... 12 13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates

To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut bycatch rates, halibut
discard mortality rates (DMR), and estimates of groundfish catch to
project when a fishery's halibut bycatch mortality allowance or
seasonal apportionment is reached. Halibut bycatch rates are based on
observed estimates of halibut bycatch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs
are estimates of the proportion of halibut bycatch that do not survive
after being returned to the sea. The cumulative halibut mortality that
accrues to a particular halibut PSC limit is the product of a DMR
multiplied by the estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are estimated using the
best scientific information available in conjunction with the annual
GOA stock assessment process.
The DMRs are calculated annually based on a methodology developed
by a halibut working group made up of IPHC, Council, and NMFS staff.
The DMR methodology and findings are included as an appendix to the
2024 SAFE report. The halibut working group continues to consider
improvements to the methodology used to calculate halibut mortality,
including potential changes to the reference period (the period of data
used for calculating the DMRs). Future DMRs may change based on
additional years of observer sampling, which could provide more recent
and accurate data and which could improve the accuracy of estimation
and progress on methodology. The methodology will continue to ensure
that NMFS is using DMRs that more accurately reflect halibut mortality,
which will inform the different sectors of their estimated halibut
mortality and allow specific sectors to respond with methods that could
reduce mortality and, eventually, the DMR for that sector.
In October 2025, the SSC reviewed the DMRs recommended by the Plan
Team that were derived from the DMR methodology, which uses a 2-year
and 4-year reference period depending data availability. The Council
then reviewed and recommended proposed 2026 and 2027 DMRs. NMFS is
proposing the DMRs reviewed by the SSC and recommended by the Council
in October 2025 for the proposed 2026 and 2027 DMRs. Table 13 lists the
proposed 2026 and 2027 DMRs.

[[Page 58198]]

Table 13--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the Gulf of Alaska
[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut discard
Gear Sector Groundfish fishery mortality rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl........................ Catcher Vessel............... All.................... 1.00
Pelagic trawl........................ Catcher/Processor............ All.................... 1.00
Non-pelagic trawl.................... Catcher Vessel............... Rockfish Program....... 0.53
Non-pelagic trawl.................... Catcher Vessel............... All others............. 0.62
Non-pelagic trawl.................... Mothership and Catcher/ All.................... 0.79
Processor.
Hook-and-line........................ Catcher/Processor............ All.................... 0.12
Hook-and-line........................ Catcher Vessel............... All.................... 0.15
Pot.................................. Mothership and Catcher/ All.................... 0.29
Processor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chinook Salmon PSC Limits

Section 679.21(h)(2) establishes separate Chinook salmon PSC limits
in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA in the trawl
pollock directed fishery. These limits require that NMFS close directed
fishing for pollock in the Western and Central GOA if the applicable
Chinook salmon PSC limit is reached (Sec. 679.21(h)(8)). The annual
Chinook salmon PSC limits in the trawl pollock directed fishery of
6,684 salmon in the Western GOA and 18,316 salmon in the Central GOA
are set in Sec. 679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii).
Section 679.21(h)(3) and (4) establishes an initial annual PSC
limit of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the non-pollock groundfish trawl
fisheries in the Western and Central GOA. This limit is apportioned
among the three sectors that conduct directed fishing for groundfish
species other than pollock: (1) 3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl CPs; (2)
1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs participating in the Rockfish
Program; and (3) 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs not participating in
the Rockfish Program (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will monitor the
Chinook salmon PSC in the trawl non-pollock GOA groundfish fisheries
and close an applicable sector if it reaches its Chinook salmon PSC
limit.
The Chinook salmon PSC limit for two sectors, trawl CPs and trawl
CVs not participating in the Rockfish Program, may be increased in
subsequent years based on the performance of these two sectors and
their ability to minimize their use of their respective Chinook salmon
PSC limits. If either or both of these two sectors limit its use of
Chinook salmon PSC to a certain threshold amount through the end of
2025 (3,120 for trawl CPs and 2,340 for non-Rockfish Program trawl
CVs), that sector will receive an increase to its 2026 Chinook salmon
PSC limit (4,080 for trawl CPs and 3,060 for non-Rockfish Program trawl
CVs) (Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will evaluate the annual Chinook salmon
PSC by trawl CPs and non-Rockfish Program trawl CVs when the 2025
fishing year is complete to determine whether to increase the Chinook
salmon PSC limits for these two sectors. Based on preliminary 2025
Chinook salmon PSC data, the trawl CP sector may receive an increase of
Chinook salmon PSC limit in 2026, and the non-Rockfish Program trawl CV
sector may receive an increase of Chinook salmon PSC limit in 2026.
NMFS intends to complete this evaluation in conjunction with the final
2026 and 2027 harvest specifications.

American Fisheries Act (AFA) CP and CV Groundfish Harvest and PSC
Limits

Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting and processing
sideboard limits on AFA CPs and CVs in the GOA. These sideboard limits
are necessary to protect the interests of fishermen and processors who
do not directly benefit from the AFA from those fishermen and
processors who receive exclusive harvesting and processing privileges
under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed AFA CPs and CPs
designated on a listed AFA CP permit from harvesting any species of
fish in the GOA. Additionally, Sec. 679.7(k)(1)(iv) prohibits listed
AFA CPs and CPs designated on a listed AFA CP permit from processing
any pollock harvested in a directed pollock fishery in the GOA and any
groundfish harvested in statistical area 630 of the GOA.
AFA CVs that are less than 125 feet (38.1 meters) length overall,
have annual landings of pollock in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
of less than 5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 landings of GOA
groundfish from 1995 through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV groundfish
sideboard limits under Sec. 679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for
non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are based on their traditional harvest
levels of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered by the FMP. Section
679.64(b)(3)(iv) establishes the CV groundfish sideboard limits in the
GOA based on the aggregate retained catch by non-exempt AFA CVs of each
sideboard species from 2009 through 2019; divided by the TAC for that
species available to CVs from 2009 through 2019; multiplied by the TAC
available to CVs in the year or season in which the harvest limit will
be in effect. Table 56 to 50 CFR part 679 lists the GOA groundfish
species and species groups for which directed fishing for sideboard
limits by non-exempt AFA CVs is prohibited (Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D)).
Sideboard limits that are not subject to these directed fishing
prohibitions continue to be calculated and included in the GOA annual
harvest specifications.
Table 14 lists the proposed 2026 and 2027 groundfish sideboard
limits for non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will deduct all targeted or
incidental catch of sideboard species made by non-exempt AFA CVs from
these sideboard limits.

[[Page 58199]]

Table 14--Proposed 2026 and 2027 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act Catcher Vessel (CV) Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 2009-
2019 non- Proposed 2026
exempt AFA CV Proposed 2026 and 2027 non-
Species Seasonal apportionments Area retained catch and 2027 TACs exempt AFA CV
to 2009-2019 sideboard limit
TAC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock................................ A Season: January 20-May Shumagin (610).................... 0.057 4,109 234
31.
Chirikof (620).................... 0.064 46,510 2,977
Kodiak (630)...................... 0.091 12,314 1,121
B Season: September 1- Shumagin (610).................... 0.057 23,344 1,331
November 1.
Chirikof (620).................... 0.064 13,967 894
Kodiak (630)...................... 0.091 25,622 2,332
Annual.................... WYK (640)......................... 0.026 3,883 101
Pacific cod............................ A Season: January 20-June W................................. 0.009 3,651 33
10.
C................................. 0.011 9,245 102
B Season: September 1- W................................. 0.009 2,076 19
November 1
C................................. 0.011 5,202 57
Shallow-water flatfish................. Annual.................... C................................. 0.011 28,455 313
Rex sole............................... Annual.................... C................................. 0.014 13,582 190
Arrowtooth flounder.................... Annual.................... C................................. 0.011 68,511 754
Flathead sole.......................... Annual.................... C................................. 0.007 22,083 155
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-Exempt AFA Catcher Vessel Halibut PSC Limit

Pursuant to Sec. 679.64(b)(4)(ii), the non-exempt AFA CVs and the
associated LLP licenses PSC limit for halibut in the GOA will be an
annual amount based on a static ratio of 0.072, which was derived from
the aggregate retained groundfish catch by non-exempt AFA CVs in each
PSC target category from 2009 through 2019. Table 15 lists the proposed
2026 and 2027 non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC sideboard limits for
vessels using trawl gear in the GOA.

Table 15--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act
Catcher Vessel (CV) Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual non-
Annual trawl exempt AFA CV
Ratio (percent) gear halibut halibut PSC
PSC limit (mt) limit (mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.072................................. 1,705 123
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Harvest Limitations

Section 680.22 establishes groundfish sideboard limits for vessels
with a history of participation in the Bering Sea snow crab fishery to
prevent these vessels from using the increased flexibility provided by
the Crab Rationalization (CR) Program to expand their level of
participation in the GOA groundfish fisheries. Sideboard harvest limits
restrict these vessels' catch to their collective historical landings
in each GOA groundfish fishery (except the fixed-gear sablefish
fishery). Sideboard limits also apply to landings made using an LLP
license derived from the history of a restricted vessel, even if that
LLP license is used on another vessel.
The basis for these sideboard harvest limits is described in detail
in the final rules implementing the major provisions of the CR Program,
including amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs (Crab FMP) (70 FR
10174, March 2, 2005), amendment 34 to the Crab FMP (76 FR 35772, June
20, 2011), amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 74670, December 1, 2011),
and amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 28539, May 19, 2015). Also,
NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019) that
implemented regulations to prohibit non-AFA crab vessels from directed
fishing for all groundfish species or species groups subject to
sideboard limits, except for Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot
gear in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas (Sec.
680.22(e)(1)(iii)). Accordingly, the GOA annual harvest specifications
include only the non-AFA crab vessel groundfish sideboard limits for
Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using pot gear in the Western and
Central Regulatory Areas.
Table 16 lists the proposed 2026 and 2027 groundfish sideboard
limits for non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or incidental catch of
sideboard species made by non-AFA crab vessels or associated LLP
licenses will be deducted from these sideboard limits.

Table 16--Proposed 2026 and 2027 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA Proposed 2026
crab vessel Proposed 2026 and 2027 non-
Species Season Sector catch to 1996- and 2027 TACs AFA crab vessel
2000 total sideboard limit
harvest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod............................ A Season: January 1-June Western Pot CV.................... 0.0997 3,651 364
10.
Central Pot CV.................... 0.0474 9,245 438

[[Page 58200]]

B Season: September 1- Western Pot CV.................... 0.0997 2,076 207
December 31
Central Pot CV.................... 0.0474 5,202 247
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations

The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard
provisions: CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, CP rockfish sideboard
restrictions, and CP opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions (Sec.
679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are intended to limit the ability of
rockfish harvesters to expand into other fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and northern
rockfish in the Western GOA and West Yakutat District from July 1
through July 31. Also, CVs may not participate in directed fishing for
arrowtooth flounder, deep-water flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(d)).
CPs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives are restricted
by rockfish and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These CPs are prohibited
from directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and
northern rockfish in the Western GOA and West Yakutat District from
July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(2)). The sideboard ratio for
each rockfish fishery in the West Yakutat District is an established
percentage of the TAC for CPs in the directed fishery for dusky
rockfish and Pacific ocean perch (Sec. 679.82(e)(4)). These
percentages are confidential, however, the method for determining the
percentages is described in Sec. 679.82(e)(3). Holders of CP-
designated LLP licenses that opt out of participating in a Rockfish
Program cooperative will be able to access that portion of each
rockfish sideboard limits that is not assigned to Rockfish Program
cooperatives (Sec. 679.82(e)(7)).
Under the Rockfish Program, the CP sector is subject to halibut PSC
sideboard limits for the trawl deep-water and shallow-water species
fisheries from July 1 through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(3) and (e)(5)).
Halibut PSC sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth in Sec.
679.82(e)(5). No halibut PSC sideboard limits apply to the CV sector,
as vessels participating in a Rockfish Program cooperative receive a
portion of the annual halibut PSC limit. CPs that opt out of the
Rockfish Program would be able to access that portion of the deep-water
and shallow-water halibut PSC sideboard limit not assigned to CP
Rockfish Program cooperatives. The sideboard provisions for CPs that
elect to opt out of participating in a Rockfish Program cooperative are
described in Sec. 679.82(c), (e), and (f). Sideboard limits are linked
to the catch history of specific vessels that may choose to opt out.
After March 1, NMFS will determine which CPs have opted-out of the
Rockfish Program in 2026, and will know the ratios and amounts used to
calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. NMFS will then calculate any
applicable opt-out sideboard limits for 2026. NMFS will announce the
opt-out sideboard limits after March 1 in the Federal Register. Table
17 lists the proposed 2026 and 2027 Rockfish Program halibut PSC
sideboard limits for the CP sector.

Table 17--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Rockfish Program Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for the Catcher/Processor Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water Deep-water Annual shallow- Annual deep-
species fishery species fishery Annual trawl water species water species
Sector halibut PSC halibut PSC gear halibut fishery halibut fishery halibut
sideboard ratio sideboard ratio PSC limit (mt) PSC sideboard PSC sideboard
(percent) (percent) limit (mt) limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Catcher/processor.................................................. 0.1 2.5 1,705 2 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and PSC Sideboard Limits

Amendment 80 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (Amendment 80 Program)
established a limited access privilege program for the non-AFA trawl CP
sector. The Amendment 80 Program established groundfish and halibut PSC
limits for Amendment 80 Program participants to limit the ability of
participants eligible for the Amendment 80 Program to expand their
harvest efforts in the GOA.
Section 679.92 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard limits
on all Amendment 80 Program vessels to amounts no greater than the
limits shown in Table 37 to 50 CFR part 679. The Amendment 80 vessel,
the F/V Golden Fleece, is not subject to halibut PSC sideboard limits
(Sec. 679.92(b)(2)) and is prohibited from directed fishing for
pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky rockfish, and northern
rockfish in the GOA (Sec. 679.92(d)).
Groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
operating in the GOA are based on their average aggregate harvests from
1998 through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 14, 2007). Table 18 lists the
proposed 2026 and 2027 groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80
Program vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of
sideboard species

[[Page 58201]]

made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from these sideboard limits.

Table 18--Proposed 2026 and 2027 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
Amendment 80 Proposed 2026 and
Species Season Area sector vessels Proposed 2026 2027 Amendment 80
1998-2004 catch and 2027 TACs vessel sideboard
to TAC limits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock............................. A Season: January 20-May 31. Shumagin (610)................ 0.003 4,109 12
A Season: January 20-May 31. Chirikof (620)................ 0.002 46,510 93
A Season: January 20-May 31. Kodiak (630).................. 0.002 12,314 25
B Season: September 1- Shumagin (610)................ 0.003 23,344 70
November 1.
B Season: September 1- Chirikof (620)................ 0.002 13,967 28
November 1.
B Season: September 1- Kodiak (630).................. 0.002 25,622 51
November 1.
Annual...................... WYK (640)..................... 0.002 3,883 8
Pacific cod......................... A Season: January 20-June 10 W............................. 0.020 3,651 73
A Season: January 20-June 10 C............................. 0.044 9,245 407
B Season: September 1- W............................. 0.020 2,076 42
November 1.
B Season: September 1- C............................. 0.044 5,202 229
November 1.
Annual...................... WYK........................... 0.034 2,061 70
Pacific ocean perch................. Annual...................... W............................. 0.994 1,688 1,678
Annual...................... WYK........................... 0.961 1,993 1,915
Northern rockfish................... Annual...................... W............................. 1.000 1,346 1,346
Dusky rockfish...................... Annual...................... W............................. 0.764 199 152
Annual...................... WYK........................... 0.896 204 183
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
in the GOA are based on the historical use of halibut PSC by Amendment
80 Program vessels in each PSC target category from 1998 through 2004.
These values are slightly lower than the average historical use to
accommodate two factors: (1) allocation of halibut PSC cooperative
quota under the Rockfish Program; and (2) the exemption of the F/V
Golden Fleece from this restriction (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)). Table 19
lists the proposed 2026 and 2027 halibut PSC sideboard limits for
Amendment 80 Program vessels. This table incorporates the maximum
percentages of the halibut PSC sideboard limits that may be used by
Amendment 80 Program vessels as contained in Table 38 to 50 CFR part
679. Any residual amount of a seasonal Amendment 80 halibut PSC
sideboard limit may carry forward to the next season limit (Sec.
679.92(b)(2)).

Table 19--Proposed 2026 and 2027 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic
Amendment 80 Proposed
use of the Annual trawl Amendment 80
Season Season dates Target fishery annual halibut gear halibut vessel PSC limit
PSC limit catch PSC limit (mt) (mt)
(ratio)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.................................... January 20-April 1...... shallow-water................... 0.0048 1,705 8
deep-water...................... 0.0115 1,705 20
2.................................... April 1-July 1.......... shallow-water................... 0.0189 1,705 32
deep-water...................... 0.1072 1,705 183
3.................................... July 1-August 1......... shallow-water................... 0.0146 1,705 25
deep-water...................... 0.0521 1,705 89
4.................................... August 1-October 1...... shallow-water................... 0.0074 1,705 13
deep-water...................... 0.0014 1,705 2
5.................................... October 1-December 31... shallow-water................... 0.0227 1,705 39
deep-water...................... 0.0371 1,705 63
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual......................................................... Total shallow water............. ................ ................ 117
Total deep water................ ................ ................ 357
------------------------------------
Grand total, all seasons and ................ ................ 474
categories.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classification

NMFS is issuing this proposed rule pursuant to section 305(d) of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Through previous actions, the FMP and
regulations are designed to authorize NMFS to take this action under
section 305(d) (see 50 CFR part 679). The NMFS Assistant Administrator
has preliminarily determined that the proposed harvest specifications
are consistent with the FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and other
applicable laws,

[[Page 58202]]

subject to further review and consideration after public comment.
NMFS finds that a comment period of at least 15 days for this
action provides a reasonable opportunity for public participation
pursuant to Administrative Procedure Act section 553(c) (5 U.S.C.
553(c)). Section 3.2.3.1.2 of the FMP notes the public review and
comment period on the proposed harvest specifications will be at least
15 days. This year a shorter comment period is necessary to ensure the
final harvest specifications publish no later than March 17, 2026,
while providing the public with a meaningful opportunity for review and
comment. The subject of this proposed rule--the annual harvest
specifications--is based on the established harvest strategy and
harvest control rules and tier system in the FMP. NMFS was unable to
publish the proposed rule any earlier and afford a longer comment
period due to the lapse in appropriations and resulting government
shutdown. A prolonged comment period and subsequent potential delay in
implementation of this action before the final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications expire on March 17, 2026, would be contrary to public
interest and could result in the closure of the GOA groundfish
fisheries until the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications are
published.
This action is authorized under 50 CFR 679.20 and is exempt from
review under Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 because it only implements
annual catch limits in the GOA. This action is not a regulatory action
under E.O. 14192 because it is exempt from review under E.O. 12866.
NMFS prepared an EIS for the Alaska groundfish harvest
specifications and alternative harvest strategies (see ADDRESSES) and
made it available to the public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 1512). On
February 13, 2007, NMFS issued the ROD for the Final EIS. A SIR is
being prepared for the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications to
address the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS. Copies of the Final
EIS, ROD, and annual SIRs for this action are available from NMFS (see
ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the environmental, social, and
economic consequences of the proposed groundfish harvest specifications
and alternative harvest strategies on resources in the action area.
Based on the analysis in the Final EIS, NMFS concluded that the
preferred alternative (alternative 2) provides the best balance among
relevant environmental, social, and economic considerations and allows
for continued management of the groundfish fisheries based on the most
recent, best scientific information.

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis

This Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) was prepared
for this proposed rule, as required by Section 603 of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 603), to describe the economic impact
that this proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. The
IRFA describes: (1) the action; (2) the reasons why this proposed rule
is proposed; (3) the objectives and legal basis for this proposed rule;
(4) the estimated number and description of directly regulated small
entities to which this proposed rule would apply; (5) the
recordkeeping, reporting, and other compliance requirements of this
proposed rule; and (6) the relevant Federal rules that may duplicate,
overlap, or conflict with this proposed rule. The IRFA also describes
significant alternatives to this proposed rule that would accomplish
the stated objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and any other
applicable statutes, and that would minimize any significant economic
impact of this proposed rule on small entities. The description of the
proposed action, its purpose, and the legal basis are explained earlier
in the preamble and are not repeated here.
For RFA purposes only, NMFS has established a small business size
standard for businesses, including their affiliates, whose primary
industry is commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). A business primarily
engaged in commercial fishing (North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) code 11411) is classified as a small business if it is
independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of
operation (including its affiliates), and has combined annual gross
receipts not in excess of $11 million for all its affiliated operations
worldwide. A shoreside processor primarily involved in seafood
processing (NAICS code 311710) is classified as a small business if it
is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in its field of
operation (including its affiliates), and has combined annual
employment, counting all individuals employed on a full-time, part-
time, or other basis, not in excess of 750 employees for all its
affiliated operations worldwide.

Number and Description of Small Entities Regulated by This Proposed
Rule

The entities directly regulated by the groundfish harvest
specifications include: (1) entities operating vessels with groundfish
Federal fisheries permits (FFPs) catching FMP groundfish in Federal
waters (including those receiving direction allocations of groundfish);
(2) all entities operating vessels, regardless of whether they hold
groundfish FFPs, catching FMP groundfish in the State-waters parallel
fisheries; and (3) all entities operating vessels fishing for halibut
that have incidental catch of FMP groundfish (whether or not they have
FFPs).
In 2024 (the most recent year of complete data), there were 602
individual CVs and CPs with gross revenues less than or equal to $11
million. This represents the potential suite of directly regulated
small entities. This includes an estimated 601 small CV entities and
one small CP entity in the GOA groundfish sector. The determination of
entity size is based on vessel revenues and affiliated group revenues.
This determination also includes an assessment of fisheries cooperative
affiliations, although actual vessel ownership affiliations have not
been completely established. However, the estimate of these 602 CVs and
CPs may be an overstatement of the number of small entities because of
the complexity of analyzing the links and affiliations across these
vessels, particularly since many of them conduct operations in both
Federal and State fisheries. The CVs had average gross revenues that
varied by gear type. Average gross revenues for hook-and-line CVs, pot
gear CVs, and trawl gear CVs are estimated to be $460,000, $920,000,
and $2,400,000, respectively. Average gross revenues for CPs are
confidential.

Recordkeeping, Reporting, and Other Compliance Requirements and
Relevant Federal Rules That May Duplicate, Overlap, or Conflict With
This Proposed Rule

This action would not impose recordkeeping and reporting
requirements. This action would set TAC and PSC limits that NMFS
utilizes for the management of the groundfish fishery in the GOA. If a
TAC limit or PSC limit has been or will be reached, NMFS can take
action to prevent exceeding the specified limit. Entities operating in
the GOA must follow any inseason actions that NMFS issues and comply
with Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 679. The specific compliance
requirements for entities operating in the GOA are set by regulations
that are separate from this action. This action does not duplicate,
overlap, or conflict with any Federal rules.

[[Page 58203]]

Description of Significant Alternatives That Minimize Adverse Impacts
on Small Entities

The action under consideration is the proposed 2026 and 2027
harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited
species catch limits for the groundfish fishery of the GOA. This action
is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the 2026
and 2027 fishing years and is taken in accordance with the FMP
recommended by the Council and approved by NMFS pursuant to the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. The establishment of the proposed harvest
specifications is governed by the Council and NMFS's harvest strategy
for the catch of groundfish in the GOA. This strategy was selected from
among five alternatives, with the preferred alternative harvest
strategy being one in which the TACs fall within the range of ABCs
recommended by the SSC through the harvest specifications process.
Under the preferred harvest strategy, TACs are set to a level that
falls within the range of ABCs recommended by the SSC through the
harvest specifications process and the sum of the TACs achieve the OY
specified in the FMP and regulations. While the specific numbers that
the harvest strategy produces may vary from year to year, the
methodology used for the preferred harvest strategy remains constant.
The TACs associated with preferred harvest strategy are those
recommended by the Council in October 2025. OFLs and ABCs for the
species were based on recommendations prepared by the Council's Plan
Team in September 2025, and reviewed by the Council's SSC in October
2025. The Council based its TAC recommendations on those of its AP,
which were consistent with the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations. The
TACs in these proposed 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications are
unchanged from the 2026 TACs in the final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications (90 FR 12468, March 18, 2025), and the sum of all TACs
remains within the OY for the GOA.
The proposed 2026 and 2027 OFLs and ABCs are based on the best
biological information available, including projected biomass trends,
information on assumed distribution of stock biomass, and revised
technical methods to calculate stock biomass. The proposed 2026 and
2027 TACs are based on the best biological and socioeconomic
information available. The proposed 2026 and 2027 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs
are consistent with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as
described in the 2024 SAFE report, which is the most recent, completed
SAFE report.
Under this action, the proposed ABCs reflect harvest amounts that
are less than the specified OFLs. The proposed TACs are within the
range of proposed ABCs recommended by the SSC and do not exceed the
biological limits recommended by the SSC (the ABCs and OFLs). For most
species and species groups in the GOA, the Council recommended, and
NMFS proposes, TACs equal to proposed ABCs, which is intended to
maximize harvest opportunities in the GOA.
However, the Council recommended, and NMFS proposes, TACs that are
less than the proposed ABCs for some species, including pollock,
Pacific cod, shallow-water flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, flathead
sole, other rockfish, Atka mackerel, and octopus. In the GOA,
increasing TACs for some species may not result in increased harvest
opportunities for those species. This is due to a variety of reasons.
There may be a lack of commercial or market interest in some species.
Additionally, there are fixed, and therefore constraining, PSC limits
associated with the harvest of the GOA groundfish species that can
limit harvest of flatfish TACs. For this reason, the shallow-water
flatfish, arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole TACs are set to allow
for increased harvest opportunities for these target species while
conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other fisheries. The other
rockfish and Atka mackerel TACs are set to accommodate ICAs in other
fisheries. Finally, the TACs for pollock, Pacific cod, and octopus
cannot be set equal to their ABCs, as the TAC account for the State's
GHLs in these fisheries. The W/C/WYK Regulatory Area pollock TAC, the
GOA Pacific cod TACs, and the GOA octopus TAC are therefore set to
account for the State's GHLs for the State waters pollock, Pacific cod,
and octopus fisheries so that the ABCs for these species are not
exceeded. For all other species in the GOA, the Council recommended and
NMFS proposes that proposed TACs equal proposed ABCs, unless other
conservation or management reasons (as described above) support
proposed TAC amounts less than the proposed ABCs.
Based upon the best scientific data available, and in consideration
of the Council and NMFS's objectives for this action, there are no
significant alternatives to the proposed rule that have the potential
to accomplish the stated objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and any
other applicable statutes and that have the potential to minimize any
significant adverse economic impact of the proposed rule on small
entities. The alternative selected and implemented in this action--the
proposed TACs recommended by the Council--maximizes harvesting
opportunities for entities operating in the GOA, including small
entities, while minimizing potential adverse economic impacts. In this
action, NMFS proposes for most species and species groups in the GOA
TACs that are equal to the maximum amounts allowed (ABCs), consistent
with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act for the specification
of ABC and annual catch limits, unless other reasons justify a lower
TAC.
As explained above, there are other reasons that justify specifying
TAC below ABC, as a higher TAC up to the ABC would not result in
increased harvest opportunities or harvest of that species. There may
be a lack of commercial or market interest in some species, while some
species are caught only incidentally or are subject to fixed, and
therefore constraining, PSC limits associated that can limit harvest.
For species subject to constraining PSC limits (shallow-water flatfish,
arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole), the TACs are set to allow for
increased harvest opportunities for these target species while
conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other fisheries. For other
species (other rockfish and Atka mackerel), the TACs are set to
accommodate ICAs in other fisheries. For these species, increasing TACs
for these species would not result in increased harvest opportunities
or harvest of those species. For this reason, the Council did not
recommend and NMFS does not propose increased TAC for these species.
As a whole, this action is economically beneficial to entities
operating in the GOA, including small entities. The action proposes
TACs for commercially valuable species in the GOA and allows for the
continued prosecution of the fishery, thereby creating the opportunity
for fishery revenue. The proposed TACs were reviewed by participants in
the fishing industry, including the AP and the public, and were
recommended by the Council to NMFS after public review and comment
during the October Council meeting. After public process, during which
the Council solicited input from stakeholders, the Council concluded
and NMFS agrees that the proposed harvest specifications would best
accomplish the stated objectives articulated in the preamble for this
proposed rule, and in applicable statutes, and would minimize to the
extent practicable adverse economic

[[Page 58204]]

impacts on the universe of directly regulated small entities.
This proposed rule contains no information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.).
Adverse impacts on marine mammals or endangered or threatened
species resulting from fishing activities conducted under these harvest
specifications are discussed in the Final EIS and its accompanying
annual SIRs (see ADDRESSES).
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 1801
et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105-277; Pub. L. 106-31; Pub.
L. 106-554; Pub. L. 108-199; Pub. L. 108-447; Pub. L. 109-241; Pub. L.
109-479.

Dated: December 12, 2025.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-23044 Filed 12-15-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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