Rule2026-02283
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line or Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 5, 2026
Effective
February 3, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 24 (Thursday, February 5, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 24 (Thursday, February 5, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02283]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0036; RTID 0648-XF423]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using
Hook-and-Line or Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall
(LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent
exceeding the 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to
catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or
pot gear in the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 3,
2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Olson, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP) prepared and recommended by the North Pacific Fishery Management
Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing
fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H
of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 3,272
metric tons as established by the final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (90 FR 12640, March 18,
2025), inseason adjustment (90 FR 60025, December 23, 2025), and
reallocation (90 FR 61069, December 30, 2025).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS has determined that the 2026 Pacific
cod TAC allocated as a directed fishing allowance to catcher vessels
less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the
BSAI will be or has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet
(18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI to prevent
exceeding this sector's allocation 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 less
than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI.
NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment
because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of
February 2, 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: February 2, 2026.
Kelly Denit,
Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-02283 Filed 2-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 5, 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.