Rule2026-01197
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot 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 22, 2026
Effective
January 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot 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 vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 14 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 2719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01197]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0037; RTID 0648-XF433]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Vessels Using Pot 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.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
vessels using pot 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 vessels using pot 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 apportioned to
vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is
2,473 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).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that the A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC
apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of
the GOA has or will soon be reached. Therefore, the Regional
Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,468 mt
and is setting aside the remaining 5 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 vessels using pot gear
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to prevent exceeding this
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 vessels using pot gear
in the A season in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. 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 16, 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 20, 2026.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-01197 Filed 1-20-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 22, 2026.
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