Rule2026-03170
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line 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
February 18, 2026
Effective
February 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 A season allowance of the total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7403-7404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-03170]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 250312-0037; RTID 0648-XF431]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line
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
catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall
using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the
2026 A season allowance of the total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific
cod allocated to catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length
overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), February 15,
2026 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., June 10, 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 less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL
gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 1,927 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 the
inseason adjustment (91 FR 5858, February 10, 2026).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Regional
Administrator has
[[Page 7404]]
determined that the 2026 A season allowance of the Pacific cod TAC
allocated to catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall
using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA will be or has
been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region,
NMFS (Regional Administrator) is establishing a directed fishing
allowance of 1,847 mt and is setting aside the remaining 80 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 of Pacific cod for
catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL
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 catcher vessels less
than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL 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 February
12, 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 13, 2026.
David R. Blankinship,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-03170 Filed 2-13-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 18, 2026.
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