Rule2026-01083
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 21, 2026
Effective
January 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2496-2497]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01083]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0037; RTID 0648-XF445]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of
the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the
A season allowance of the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific
cod allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central
Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), January 20,
2026, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared and recommended by
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in
accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50
CFR part 679.
The A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated to
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA is 3,508
[[Page 2497]]
metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the GOA (90 FR 12468, March 18, 2025)
and inseason adjustment (90 FR 60022, December 23, 2025).
The Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional
Administrator) has determined that there is not sufficient Pacific cod
TAC to allow directed fishing during the A season by catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA and that
3,508 mt is necessary as incidental catch to support other fisheries.
The Regional Administrator has further determined that the A season
allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels
using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will be
reached during the A season. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed
fishing allowance of 0 mt and is setting aside the remaining 3,508 mt
as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries.
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator
finds that this directed fishing allowance will be or has been reached.
Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
GOA to prevent exceeding the sector's A season allowance of Pacific cod
TAC.
While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 679, which was
issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice
and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest,
as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries
data on Pacific cod catch in a timely fashion and would delay the
closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using
trawl gear in the A season in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA,
which could result in this sector exceeding its A season allowance of
Pacific cod TAC. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for
public comment because the most recent, relevant data on Pacific cod
catch only became available as of January 15, 2026.
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to establish an
effective date less than 30 days after date of publication. This
finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior
notice and opportunity for public comment.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: January 16, 2026.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-01083 Filed 1-16-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 21, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.