Rule2026-04753
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; 2026 and 2027 Harvest Specifications for Groundfish
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Published
March 11, 2026
Effective
March 17, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS announces final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications, apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limits for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during the remainder of 2026 and the start of the 2027 fishing years and to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). 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 91 Issue 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11902-11933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04753]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No.: 260305-0067; 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: Final rule; harvest specifications and closures.
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SUMMARY: NMFS announces final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications,
apportionments, and Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC)
limits for the groundfish fishery of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This
action is necessary to establish harvest limits for groundfish during
the remainder of 2026 and the start of the 2027 fishing years and to
accomplish the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for
Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP). 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: Harvest specifications and closures are effective from 1200
hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 17, 2026, through 1200 hours,
A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the Alaska Groundfish Harvest
Specifications Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS), Record
of Decision (ROD), and the annual Supplementary Information Reports
(SIRs) to the Final EIS prepared for this action are available at:
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. The 2024 Stock Assessment and Fishery
Evaluation (SAFE) report for the groundfish resources of the GOA, the
2025 harvest projection for the deep-water flatfish stock complex, the
2025 Pacific cod stock assessment, and the SAFE reports for previous
years are available from the North Pacific Fishery Management Council
(Council) at 1007 West Third Avenue, Suite 400, Anchorage, AK 99501,
phone 907-271-2809, or from the NMFS website at: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/population-assessments/north-pacific-groundfish-stock-assessments-and-fishery-evaluation">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/population-assessments/north-pacific-groundfish-stock-assessments-and-fishery-evaluation</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 the FMP, which NMFS approved and implemented, 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.
679.20(a)(1)(i)(B) and (a)(2)). Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires
that NMFS publish and solicit public comment on proposed annual TACs
and apportionments thereof for each target species, Pacific halibut PSC
limits, and seasonal allowances of pollock and Pacific cod. Upon
consideration of those public comments, NMFS will publish a
notification of final harvest specifications in the Federal Register;
the final harvest specifications specify annual TACs and
apportionments, Pacific halibut PSC limits, and seasonal allowances of
pollock and Pacific cod (Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(i)-(ii)). The final harvest
specifications set forth in tables 1 through 27 of this rule reflect
the outcome of this process, as required by Sec. 679.20(c).
The proposed 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for groundfish of
the GOA and Pacific halibut PSC limits were published in the Federal
Register on December 16, 2025 (90 FR 58185). Comments were invited and
accepted through January 5, 2026. Three comment letters were received
during the comment period and no changes were made in response to the
[[Page 11903]]
comments. NMFS's responses are included in the Comments and Responses
section of this rule.
Under Sec. 679.20(c)(3), NMFS is publishing 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 and February 2026 meetings; (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 2024 Ecosystem Status Report (ESR) for the GOA), the
abbreviated updated 2025 GOA ESR, the 2025 harvest projection of the
deep-water flatfish stock complex, and the 2025 operational update
assessment for Pacific cod, among other relevant information. The final
2026 and 2027 harvest specifications are effective from 1200 hours,
A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027. For
the 2026 calendar year, the sum of the TACs is 470,482 mt. For the 2027
calendar year, the sum of the TACs is 465,697 mt.
Other Actions Affecting the 2026 and 2027 Harvest Specifications
In October 2025, the Alaska Board of Fisheries, which manages
fisheries in State of Alaska (State) waters, adopted a proposal to
increase the South Alaska Peninsula guideline harvest level (GHL) from
30 to 35 percent. This action affects the available Pacific cod TAC in
the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA (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. This change is
reflected in the Pacific cod TAC and allocations for the Western GOA in
this rule.
Harvest Specifications Process
The specifications are based on the most recent biological,
ecosystem, socioeconomic, and harvest information about the condition
of the GOA groundfish stocks and the review and recommendations of the
GOA Groundfish Plan Team (Plan Team), Scientific and Statistical
Committee (SSC), Advisory Panel (AP), and the Council. These
specifications were developed in compliance with the harvest strategy
from the FMP and the Final EIS and ROD.
The most recent reviewed information available to inform these
specifications includes the 2024 SAFE report for the GOA groundfish
stocks, the 2025 Pacific cod stock assessment, and the 2025 harvest
projection for the deep-water flatfish stock complex (see ADDRESSES).
The stock assessments that comprise the SAFE report contain a review of
the latest scientific analyses available and estimates of each stock or
stock complex's biomass and other biological parameters including stock
projections for 2026 and possible future condition of the stocks, and
the SAFE report also contains summaries of the available information on
the GOA ecosystem and the economic condition of the GOA groundfish
fisheries off Alaska. The SAFE report provides information to the
Council and NMFS for recommending and setting annual harvest levels for
each stock and stock complex and documenting significant trends or
changes in the resource, marine ecosystems, and fisheries over time.
The individual stock assessments that comprise the 2024 SAFE report, as
well as the 2025 harvest projection for deep-water flatfish and 2025
Pacific cod stock assessment, 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 ESRs are a component of the SAFE report. 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. The 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 into the annual harvest recommendations
through inclusion in stock assessments, including stock-specific risk
tables that identify considerations informing any additional scientific
uncertainty relevant to the specification of ABC. The ESR information
provides context for the SSC's recommendations for OFLs 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 for making groundfish
harvest specification recommendations and aid NMFS in implementing
these annual groundfish harvest specifications.
In September 2025, the Plan Team met and recommended proposed
harvest specifications for 2026 and 2027 based on the 2024 SAFE report.
In October 2025, the SSC reviewed these recommendations and other
relevant information available, including an ESR preview, and made
recommendations on proposed OFLs and ABCs to the Council. After
reviewing the recommendations and information provided, the Council
recommended proposed 2026 and 2027 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs in October
2025, and NMFS published the proposed 2026 and 2027 harvest
specifications for groundfish of the GOA for public comment on December
16, 2025 (90 FR 58185). The proposed 2026 and 2027 harvest
specifications were based on the 2024 SAFE report and on the final 2026
specifications that were reviewed by the Plan Team, SSC, and the
Council in 2024 and published in the Federal Register on March 18, 2025
(90 FR 12468).
NMFS was unable to prepare new stock assessments that were
scheduled for updates this year for the 2025 SAFE report, and the
November Groundfish Plan Team meetings were canceled since there were
no updated stock assessments to review at that time. The 2025 SAFE
report and 2025 GOA ESR were not presented at the December Council
meeting.
At the December Council meeting, the SSC used the best scientific
information available to make recommendations on final 2026 and 2027
OFLs and ABCs. This information included: the 2024 stock assessments
(which already included projected OFLs and ABCs for 2026) and the
stock-specific risk tables included with those assessments; the 2025
harvest projection for the deep-water flatfish stock complex; Plan Team
recommendations from its 2024 and September 2025 meetings; catch
reports for each stock and stock complex comparing recent catch data to
TACs, ABCs, and OFLs; tables summarizing relevant information on
groundfish stocks and stock complexes that included biomass and survey
trends; information available from the 2025 Alaska Fisheries Science
Center (AFSC) surveys; and available ESR information that included the
2024 ESRs and the ESR previews presented to Plan Team and SSC in
September and October 2025, respectively. Also included were updated
OFL and ABC recommendations for deep-water flatfish, which was subject
to a harvest projection that underwent review by the Plan Team in
September 2025 and the SSC in October 2025, consistent with the
schedule for reviewing harvest projections. More information on the
[[Page 11904]]
SSC's review is provided in the December 2025 report at: <a href="https://meetings.npfmc.org/CommentReview/DownloadFile?p=74322a78-4de1-451c-a10f-13b11286f8b9.pdf&fileName=Draft%20SSC%20Report%20Dec%202025.pdf">https://meetings.npfmc.org/CommentReview/DownloadFile?p=74322a78-4de1-451c-a10f-13b11286f8b9.pdf&fileName=Draft%20SSC%20Report%20Dec%202025.pdf</a>.
The Council then reviewed this information and the SSC's
recommendations for OFLs and ABCs, as well as the AP's recommendations
for TACs, and recommended final 2026 and 2027 TACs. At the December
2025 Council meeting, the Council also requested that the AFSC update
the Pacific cod stock assessment and provide the assessment to the Plan
Team for review during a public meeting scheduled for early 2026. In
January 2026, the Plan Team reviewed the 2025 Pacific cod stock
assessment, including an updated risk table, and also heard a
presentation on an updated Ecosystem and Socioeconomic Profile (ESP)
for Pacific cod and an updated abbreviated 2025 GOA-wide ESR, which
focused on relevant ecosystem indicators informative for Pacific cod.
The Plan Team then made OFL and ABC recommendations for Pacific cod
based on the updated information available, including the 2025 Pacific
cod stock assessment.
At the February 2026 Council meeting, the SSC reviewed the 2025
Pacific cod stock assessment, ESP, and abbreviated 2025 GOA ESR and the
Plan Team's recommendations, and then recommended OFL and ABC for
Pacific cod. The Council then recommended a 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod
TAC based on the SSC's OFL and ABC recommendations.
The 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. In 2024, the Plan Team used the FMP
tier structure to calculate OFLs and ABCs for each groundfish species
for 2025 and 2026. In December 2025, the SSC adopted the 2026 and 2027
OFLs and ABCs that were recommended as proposed specifications by the
Plan Team for all groundfish species in September 2025 and the SSC in
October 2025, with the exception of deep-water flatfish and Pacific
cod. Because the 2024 SAFE report does not set OFLs and ABCs for 2027,
the SSC set the 2027 OFLs and ABCs equal to 2026. These 2027 OFLs and
ABCs will be superseded by the final 2027 and 2028 harvest
specifications.
The 2026 and 2027 TACs are based on the best available biological
and socioeconomic information consistent with Sec. 679.20(a)(3). In
making its recommendations, the Council adopted the SSC's OFL and ABC
recommendations and the AP's TAC recommendations for all stocks and
stock complexes. The AP and Council recommended that the 2026 and 2027
TACs be set equal to the proposed ABCs for all stocks and stock
complexes, with the exception of the stocks and stock complexes
discussed below.
NMFS reviewed the recommendations of the SSC and Council for OFLs,
ABCs, and TACs for stocks and stock complexes in the GOA as well as any
other relevant information. Based on that review, NMFS is implementing
the OFLs, ABCs, and TACs set forth in the tables of this rule, which
are consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the FMP, and other
applicable law. NMFS finds that the recommended OFLs and ABCs are
consistent with the biological condition of the groundfish stocks as
described in the 2024 SAFE report, 2025 harvest projection of deep-
water flatfish, and 2025 Pacific cod stock assessment and in
consideration of ecosystem information presented in the ESRs.
NMFS also finds that the Council's recommendations for TACs are
consistent with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as
adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations,
including maintaining the sum of all TACs within the OY range (Sec.
679.20(a)(2) and 679.20(a)(3)). The TACs are set equal to sub-area
apportionments of ABCs for all stocks and stock complexes except for
pollock in the combined Western and Central Regulatory Areas and the
West Yakutat District of the Eastern Regulatory Area (W/C/WYK), Pacific
cod, Western GOA shallow-water flatfish, Western GOA arrowtooth
flounder, Western GOA flathead sole, Southeast Outside (SEO) District
other rockfish, Atka mackerel, and octopus. The combined W/C/WYK
pollock TAC, the Pacific cod TACs, and the octopus TAC are set to
account for the State's GHLs so that the ABCs for pollock, Pacific cod,
and octopus are not exceeded. The Western GOA shallow-water flatfish,
Western GOA arrowtooth flounder, and Western GOA 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, more
fully utilized fisheries. The other rockfish TAC in the SEO District is
set to reduce the amount of discards of the species in that complex.
The Atka mackerel TAC is set to accommodate incidental catch amounts
(ICA) in other fisheries. NMFS reviewed the Council's recommended TACs
and apportionments, and NMFS approves these harvest specifications
under Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(ii). The apportionment of TAC amounts among
gear types and sectors, processing sectors, and seasons is discussed
below.
Tables 1 and 2 list the final 2026 and 2027 OFLs, ABCs, TACs, and
area apportionments of groundfish in the GOA. The 2026 harvest
specifications set in this final action supersede the 2026 harvest
specifications previously set in the final 2025 and 2026 harvest
specifications (90 FR 12468, March 18, 2025). Pursuant to this final
action, the 2026 harvest specifications are effective from 1200 hours,
A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026,
and the 2027 harvest specifications are effective from 0001 hours,
A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
Specification and Apportionment of TAC Amounts
The W/C/WYK pollock TAC and the 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 for pollock and
Pacific cod are described below. NMFS's apportionments of groundfish
stocks are based on the distribution of biomass among the regulatory
areas over which NMFS manages the stocks. 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 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 State waters Prince William Sound (PWS) pollock fishery. The
Plan Team, SSC, AP, and Council have recommended that the sum of all
pollock removals from State and Federal waters 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
yields a projected PWS pollock GHL of 3,326 mt,
[[Page 11905]]
a percent decrease of 26.51 from the 2025 PWS GHL of 4,526 mt. After
reductions for the PWS GHL, the remaining 2026 and 2027 W/C/WYK pollock
TAC is then apportioned among four statistical areas (areas 610, 620,
630, and 640), as described below and detailed in tables 1 and 2. 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 W/C/WYK pollock
ABC is 133,075 mt, and the 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, annual catch limit (ACL), and total TAC for the stock (W/C/WYK
pollock) are not exceeded.
NMFS establishes pollock TACs in the Western GOA (area 610),
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA (Central GOA) (areas 620 and 630),
the West Yakutat (WYK) District (area 640), and the SEO District (area
650) of the GOA (see table 1). NMFS also establishes seasonal
apportionment of the annual pollock TAC in the Western GOA and Central
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 tables 3 and 4.
The 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod TACs are set to account for the
State's GHLs for Pacific cod in State waters in the Western GOA and
Central GOA, as well as in PWS (in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the
GOA (Eastern GOA)) (see tables 1 and 2). The Plan Team, SSC, AP, and
Council recommended that the sum of all Pacific cod removals from State
and Federal waters in the GOA do not exceed ABC recommendations.
Accordingly, the Council recommended the 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod TACs
in the Western GOA, Central GOA, and Eastern GOA account for State
GHLs. The 2026 Pacific cod TACs are adjusted by the following amounts:
(1) Western GOA, 3,604 mt; (2) Central GOA, 7,183 mt; and (3) Eastern
GOA, 680 mt. The 2026 TACs reflect the State's 2026 GHLs in these
areas, which are 35 percent for the Western GOA, 25 percent for the
Central GOA, and 27 percent for the Eastern GOA. Typically, the Eastern
GOA GHL is set at 25 percent. This year, since the fishery was already
in operation for the A season, the State requested a GHL increase to
approximately 27 percent, and the Council recommended the TAC for the
Eastern GOA account for the State GHL amount (680 mt) based on the
Council's previous TAC recommendations to maintain consistency for a
fishery that is already occurring. This modification is not necessary
for 2027. The 2027 Pacific cod TACs are adjusted by the following
amounts: (1) Western GOA, 2,795 mt; (2) Central GOA, 5,572 mt; and (3)
Eastern GOA, 483 mt. The 2027 TACs reflect the State's 2027 GHLs in
these areas, which are 35 percent for the Western GOA and 25 percent
for the Central GOA and Eastern GOA.
The Western GOA 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
GOA and Central GOA. The Pacific cod sector allocations and seasonal
apportionments are discussed in detail in a subsequent section and in
tables 5 and 6 of this 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 GOA (Sec. 679.7(b)(1)) and makes available 5
percent of the Eastern GOA (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 details are provided below. Tables 7 and 8 list the 2026 and
2027 allocations of the sablefish TAC in the GOA.
For 2026 and 2027, the Council recommends, and NMFS implements, the
OFLs, ABCs, and TACs listed in tables 1 and 2. These amounts are
consistent with the biological condition of groundfish stocks as
described in the 2024 SAFE report, 2025 harvest projection for deep-
water flatfish, and the 2025 Pacific cod stock assessment. The ABCs
reflect harvest amounts that are less than the specified OFLs. The TACs
are adjusted for other biological and socioeconomic considerations
consistent with Sec. 679.20(a)(3) and do not exceed the ABCs. The sum
of the TACs for all GOA groundfish is 470,482 mt for 2026 and 465,697
mt for 2027. The sum of TACs for both 2026 and 2027 are within the OY
range specified by the FMP and implementing regulations.
Changes in TACs From the Proposed 2026 and 2027 Harvest Specifications
in the GOA
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. This past November, there was a disruption in the
completion of the stock assessments that were scheduled for update in
2025. The stock assessments were not completed in time for the Plan
Team's meeting in November, and the Plan Team was unable to meet to
review, update, and finalize the 2025 SAFE report. However, the harvest
projection and 2026 and 2027 OFLs and ABCs for deep-water flatfish were
reviewed by the Plan Team in September 2025 and the SSC in October
2025, consistent with the schedule for review of stocks with a harvest
projection. In addition, the 2025 operational update stock assessment
and 2026 and 2027 OFLs and ABCs for Pacific cod were reviewed by the
Plan Team during a January 2026 meeting and by the SSC in February
2026.
At the September 2025 Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists presented
updated and new survey results and a preview of ecosystem status
information for the ESRs. Scientists also discussed potential changes
to assessment models and accompanying preliminary stock estimates.
Consistent with the schedule for review of one type of assessment (a
harvest projection), the Plan Team reviewed the harvest projection for
deep-water flatfish. At the October 2025 Council meeting, the SSC
reviewed this information as well. Typically, the Plan Team would then
review at the November Plan Team meeting survey results, model changes,
and updated stock assessments for groundfish stocks (consistent with
the schedule for review of those stock assessments), 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 limited changes between the proposed and final specifications
because no updated stock assessments were prepared and so no model
changes or additional review were completed by the Plan Team in
November 2025.
The final 2026 TACs are higher than the proposed 2026 TACs for
Pacific cod and deep-water flatfish in 2026 due to the 2025 Pacific cod
stock assessment and deep-water flatfish harvest projection,
respectively. The final 2027
[[Page 11906]]
TAC for Pacific cod is higher than the proposed 2027 TAC due to the
2025 Pacific cod stock assessment. The final 2027 TAC for deep-water
flatfish is lower than the proposed 2027 TAC for deep-water flatfish
due to the harvest projection. The final 2026 and 2027 TAC for octopus
is lower than the proposed 2026 and 2027 TAC to account for GHLs set in
State waters. These changes are compared in table A. For the remaining
target species, the Council recommended final 2026 and 2027 TACs that
are the same as the proposed 2026 and 2027 TACs.
Table A--Stocks or Stock Complexes With Differences Between Proposed and Final 2026 and 2027 GOA TAC Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt and percent difference]
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Difference Difference
2026 and 2027 2026 Final between 2026 Percent 2027 Final between 2027 Percent
Stock or stock complex Proposed TAC TAC proposed and difference TAC proposed and difference
final TACs final TACs
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Pacific cod........................................ 22,235 30,053 7,818 35.16 23,359 1,124 4.93
Deep-water flatfish................................ 6,832 6,836 4 0.06 6,697 135 2
Octopus............................................ 964 932 32 3.31 932 32 3.31
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The final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the biological
condition of groundfish stocks as described in the 2024 SAFE report,
the 2025 harvest projection for deep-water flatfish, and the 2025
Pacific cod stock assessment. The final TACs are adjusted for other
biological and socioeconomic considerations consistent with Sec.
679.20(a)(3). These TACs are specified in compliance with the harvest
strategy from the FMP and the Final EIS and ROD and as described in the
proposed and final rules for the 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications.
The final 2026 and 2027 TAC amounts for the GOA are within the OY
range established for the GOA and do not exceed the ABC for any stock
or stock complex. The ABC does not exceed the OFL for any stock or
stock complex. Tables 1 and 2 list the final OFL, ABC, and TAC amounts
for GOA groundfish for 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Table 1--Final 2026 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and SEO Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, and Gulf-Wide
Districts of the GOA
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
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Stock or stock complex 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
Pacific Cod \3\....................... W....................... .............. 10,297 6,693
C....................... .............. 28,732 21,549
E....................... .............. 2,491 1,811
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 49,782 41,520 30,053
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... .............. 4,687 4,687
C....................... .............. 9,622 9,622
WYK..................... .............. 2,652 2,652
SEO..................... .............. 5,589 5,589
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal TAC......... .............. .............. 22,550
-----------------------------------------------
Total.............. 57,797 47,008 ..............
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....................... .............. 2,570 2,570
WYK..................... .............. 1,796 1,796
SEO..................... .............. 2,239 2,239
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 8,118 6,836 6,836
Rex sole.............................. W....................... .............. 3,353 3,353
C....................... .............. 13,582 13,582
WYK..................... .............. 1,413 1,413
SEO..................... .............. 2,825 2,825
-----------------------------------------------
[[Page 11907]]
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....................... .............. .............. 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
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...................... 1,307 980 932
-----------------------------------------------
Total............................. Total................ 662,391 550,626 470,482
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W = Western GOA; C = Central GOA; E = Eastern
GOA; GW = Gulf-wide). The 2026 harvest specifications are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026.
[[Page 11908]]
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 133,075. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,326 mt) of
that 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 3. In the WYK (area 640) and SEO (area 650)
districts of the Eastern GOA, pollock is 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 GOA and Central GOA, respectively. The Pacific cod TAC in the
Eastern 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 5 lists the
final 2026 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. Table 7 lists the final 2026 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 GOA 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 S. polyspinous (northern rockfish).
\15\ ``Big skates'' means Beringraja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skates'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja.
Table 2--Final 2027 OFLs, ABCs, and TACs of Groundfish for the Western/Central/West Yakutat, Western, Central,
Eastern Regulatory Areas, the West Yakutat and SEO Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, and Gulf-Wide
Districts of the GOA
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Pacific Cod \3\....................... W....................... .............. 7,987 5,192
C....................... .............. 22,289 16,717
E....................... .............. 1,933 1,450
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 38,812 32,209 23,359
Sablefish \4\......................... W....................... .............. 4,687 4,687
C....................... .............. 9,622 9,622
WYK..................... .............. 2,652 2,652
SEO..................... .............. 5,589 5,589
-----------------------------------------------
Subtotal TAC......... .............. .............. 22,550
-----------------------------------------------
Total.............. 57,797 47,008 ..............
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....................... .............. 227 227
C....................... .............. 2,518 2,518
WYK..................... .............. 1,759 1,759
SEO..................... .............. 2,193 2,193
-----------------------------------------------
Total................ 7,954 6,697 6,697
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
[[Page 11909]]
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....................... .............. .............. 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
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...................... 1,307 980 932
-----------------------------------------------
Total............................. Total................ 651,257 541,176 465,697
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Regulatory areas and districts are defined at Sec. 679.2. (W = Western GOA; C = Central GOA; E = Eastern
GOA; GW = Gulf-wide). The 2027 harvest specifications are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
\2\ The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 133,075. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,326 mt) of
that 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 4. In the WYK (area 640) and SEO (area 650)
Districts of the Eastern GOA, pollock is not divided into seasonal allowances.
[[Page 11910]]
\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 GOA and Central GOA, respectively. The Pacific cod TAC in the
Eastern 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 6 lists the
final 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. Additionally, allocations of sablefish TACs for 2027 are specified for trawl gear only, and
the sablefish TACs allocated to fixed gear for 2027 will be specified in the 2027 and 2028 harvest
specifications. Table 8 lists the final 2027 allocation of sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
\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 GOA 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 S. polyspinous (northern rockfish).
\15\ ``Big skates'' means Beringraja binoculata.
\16\ ``Longnose skates'' means Raja rhina.
\17\ ``Other skates'' means Bathyraja.
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. For 2026 and 2027, NMFS proposed reapportionment of all the
reserves in the proposed 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications published
in the Federal Register on December 16, 2025 (90 FR 58185). NMFS did
not receive any public comments on the proposed reapportionments. For
the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications, NMFS reapportions, as
proposed, all the 2026 and 2027 reserves for pollock, Pacific cod,
flatfish, sharks, and octopuses back to the original TAC limit from
which the reserve was derived (Sec. 679.20(b)(3)). This is because
NMFS expects, based on recent harvest patterns, that such reserves are
not necessary or that the entire TAC for each of these stocks and stock
complexes will be caught. The TACs listed in tables 1 and 2 reflect
reapportionments of the reserve amounts to the original TAC limit for
these stocks and stock complexes (i.e., each final TAC for the above-
mentioned stocks and stock complexes contains the full TAC recommended
by the Council).
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 area and is
further allocated for processing by inshore and offshore components.
Pollock TACs in the Western GOA and Central 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). Although there was a
survey in 2025 for the GOA (surveys in the GOA are scheduled for every
2 years), the survey results were not incorporated into the pollock
stock assessment due to a disruption in the completion of the stock
assessments and is therefore unavailable for determining the
proportional distribution of pollock biomass by statistical areas. In
lieu of a 2025 stock assessment, the pollock chapter of the 2024 SAFE
report (see ADDRESSES), which incorporates the 2023 survey, was used to
determine the proportional distribution of pollock biomass because it
contains a comprehensive description of apportionments that are based
on the most recent information available at the time that stock
assessment was prepared. Pollock is specified for the A and B seasons
for the Western GOA and Central GOA. However, the GOA pollock stock
assessment continues to use a four-season methodology to determine
pollock distribution in the Western GOA and Central GOA to maintain
continuity in the historical pollock apportionment timeseries. A and B
seasons from the assessment are aggregated into the A season, and C and
D seasons from the assessment are aggregated into the B season, for the
purposes of apportioning TAC among statistical areas 610, 620, and 630
in these specifications. This method is described and calculated in the
2024 GOA pollock assessment.
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock TAC
specified for the Western GOA and Central 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.
Within any fishing year, the amount by which a pollock seasonal
allowance is under harvested or overharvested may be added to, or
subtracted from, the subsequent seasonal allowance for the Western GOA
and Central GOA 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 other statistical areas, in
proportion to the estimated biomass in the subsequent season in those
statistical areas and in an amount that is no more than 20 percent of
the seasonal TAC apportionment in those statistical areas (Sec.
679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The pollock TACs in the WYK and the SEO Districts
for 2026 and 2027 are 3,883 mt and 9,749 mt, respectively. The pollock
TACs in the WYK and SEO Districts are not allocated seasonally.
Tables 3 and 4 list the final 2026 and 2027 area apportionments and
seasonal allowances of pollock in the Western GOA and Central GOA. The
amounts of pollock for processing by inshore and offshore components
are not shown. Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) requires the allocation of 100
percent of the pollock TAC in all GOA regulatory areas and all seasonal
allowances to vessels catching pollock for processing by the inshore
component after subtraction of pollock amounts projected by the
Regional Administrator to be caught by, or delivered to, the offshore
component
[[Page 11911]]
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 that 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 incidental
catch amounts (ICAs) of pollock are unknown and will be determined
during the fishing year during the course of fishing activities by the
offshore component.
Table 3--Final 2026 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Area
Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\ Shumagin (610) Chirikof (620) Kodiak (630) Total \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding. The 2026 harvest
specifications for pollock are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2026.
\1\ 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.
\2\ The WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock
TACs shown in this table.
Table 4--Final 2027 Distribution of Pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA; Area
Apportionments; and Seasonal Allowances of Annual TAC
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Season \1\ Shumagin (610) Chirikof (620) Kodiak (630) Total \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding. The 2027 harvest
specifications for pollock are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
March 17, 2027.
\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 WYK and SEO District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock
TACs shown in this table.
Annual and Seasonal Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i), NMFS seasonally allocates the
2026 and 2027 Pacific cod TACs in the Western GOA and Central GOA among
gear and operational sectors. In the Western GOA and Central GOA, 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, and a portion 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. 679.20(a)(12) and 679.23(d)(3)). NMFS also allocates the
Pacific cod TACs annually between the inshore (90 percent) and offshore
(10 percent) components in the Eastern GOA (Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(ii)).
In the Central GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is first apportioned
seasonally to vessels using jig gear, then to catcher vessels (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, catcher/processors (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)). In the Western GOA, the
Pacific cod TAC is first apportioned seasonally to vessels using jig
gear, then to CVs 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)(A)). After seasonal apportionments of TACs
to the jig sector (which are 60 percent to the A season and 40 percent
to the B season), Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i) requires that NMFS seasonally
apportions the remainder of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western
GOA as 63.84 percent to the A season and 36.16 percent to the B season,
and in the Central GOA as 64.16 percent to the A season and 35.84
percent to the B season.
Under Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(A), any overage or underage of
Pacific cod apportioned to a sector in the A season may be subtracted
from, or added to, the subsequent B season. In addition, any portion of
a sector's allocation that is determined by NMFS as likely to go
unharvested by that sector may be reallocated to other sectors for
harvest during the remainder of the fishing year consistent with Sec.
679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B).
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and (B), a portion of the
annual Pacific cod TACs in the Western GOA and Central GOA will be
allocated to vessels that use jig gear before the TACs are apportioned
among other non-jig gear sectors. In accordance with the FMP, the
annual jig sector allocations may increase to up to 6 percent of the
annual Western GOA and Central GOA Pacific cod TACs, depending on the
annual performance of the jig sector (see table 1 in the final rule
implementing amendment 83 to the FMP for a examples of harvest
scenarios affecting annual jig sector allocations (76 FR 74670,
December 1, 2011)). Jig sector allocation increases are established for
a minimum of 2 years. Jig sector allocation decreases are established
for 1 year.
NMFS has evaluated the historical harvest performance of the jig
sector in the Western GOA and Central GOA and is establishing the 2026
and 2027 Pacific cod apportionments to this sector based on its
historical harvest performance
[[Page 11912]]
through 2025. For 2026 and 2027 in the Western GOA, NMFS allocates the
jig sector 2.5 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC for the Western
GOA. The 2026 and 2027 allocations consist 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 did not reach 90
percent of the Western GOA Pacific cod allocation for the 2024 or 2025
fishing year and therefore the allocation decreased by 1 percent from
3.5 to 2.5 percent. For 2026 and 2027 in the Central GOA, NMFS
allocates the jig sector 4 percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC for
the Central GOA. The 2026 and 2027 allocations consist of a base
allocation of 1 percent of the Central GOA Pacific cod TAC and a
performance increase of 3 percent based on harvest performance through
2025. The 2027 allocations of the annual Pacific cod TACs in the
Western GOA and Central GOA to jig gear may change based on the harvest
performance of the sector in 2026, which NMFS will evaluate in the 2027
and 2028 harvest specifications.
Tables 5 and 6 list the seasonal apportionments and allocations of
the 2026 and 2027 Pacific cod TACs.
Table 5--Final 2026 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the GOA; Allocations in
the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)........... 167 n/a 100 n/a 67
Hook-and-line CV............ 91 0.7 46 0.7 46
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,292 10.9 711 8.9 581
Trawl CV.................... 2,506 31.54 2,058 6.86 448
Trawl CP.................... 157 0.9 59 1.5 98
Pot CV and Pot CP........... 2,480 19.8 1,292 18.2 1,188
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total................... 6,693 63.84 4,266 36.16 2,427
Central GOA:
Jig (4% of TAC)............. 862 n/a 517 n/a 345
Hook-and-line <50CV......... 3,021 9.31552 1,927 5.28678 1,094
Hook-and-line >=50CV........ 1,387 5.60935 1,160 1.09726 227
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,056 4.10684 850 0.99751 206
Trawl CV non Rockfish 7,782 25.29364 5,233 16.29047 2,549
Program \1\................
Trawl CV Rockfish Program 821 n/a n/a n/a 821
\1\........................
Trawl CP.................... 868 2.00334 414 2.19451 454
Pot CV and Pot CP........... 5,752 17.82972 3,688 9.97506 2,064
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 21,549 64.1584 13,790 35.84 7,759
---------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA:.................... Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 1,811 1,630
181
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 harvest specifications for Pacific cod are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026.
\1\ Trawl CVs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 821 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 12 of this rule) and is available from April 1 to December 31.
Table 6--Final 2027 Seasonal Apportionments and Allocation of Pacific Cod TAC Amounts in the GOA; Allocations in
the Western GOA and Central GOA Sectors, and the Eastern GOA Inshore and Offshore Processing Components
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)........... 130 n/a 78 n/a 52
Hook-and-line CV............ 71 0.7 35 0.7 35
Hook-and-line CP............ 1,002 10.9 552 8.9 451
Trawl CV.................... 1,944 31.54 1,597 6.86 347
Trawl CP.................... 121 0.9 46 1.50 76
[[Page 11913]]
Pot CV and Pot CP........... 1,924 19.8 1,002 18.2 921
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 5,192 63.84 3,310 36.16 1,882
Central GOA:
Jig (4% of TAC)............. 669 n/a 401 n/a 267
Hook-and-line <50CV......... 2,343 9.31552 1,495 5.28678 848
Hook-and-line >=50CV........ 1,076 5.60935 900 1.09726 176
Hook-and-line CP............ 819 4.10684 659 0.99751 160
Trawl CV non Rockfish 5,853 25.29364 4,059 16.29047 1,793
Program \1\................
Trawl CV Rockfish Program 637 n/a n/a n/a 637
\1\........................
Trawl CP.................... 674 2.00334 322 2.19451 352
Pot CV and Pot CP........... 4,462 17.82972 2,861 9.97506 1,601
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 16,717 64.1584 10,698 35.84 6,019
---------------------------------------------------------------
Eastern GOA..................... Inshore (90% of Annual TAC)
Offshore (10% of Annual TAC)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total....................... 1,450 1,304
145
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2027 harvest specifications for Pacific cod are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
\1\ Trawl CVs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 637 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 13 of this rule) and is available from April 1 to December 31.
Allocations of the Sablefish TAC Amounts to Vessels Using Fixed and
Trawl Gear
Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) require allocations of sablefish
TACs for each of the regulatory areas to fixed and trawl gear. In the
Western GOA and Central GOA, 80 percent of each TAC is allocated to
fixed gear, and 20 percent of each TAC is allocated to trawl gear. In
the Eastern GOA, 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 GOA may be used only to support incidental catch of sablefish
using trawl gear while engaged in directed fishing for other target
species (Sec. 679.20(a)(4)(i)).
In recognition of the prohibition against trawl gear in the SEO
District of the Eastern GOA, the Council recommended, and NMFS
approves, specifying for incidental catch the allocation of 5 percent
of the combined Eastern GOA sablefish TAC to trawl gear in the WYK
District of the Eastern GOA. The remainder of the WYK District
sablefish TAC is allocated to vessels using fixed gear. NMFS allocates
100 percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO District to vessels using
fixed gear. This results in 2026 allocations of 412 mt to trawl gear
and 2,240 mt to fixed gear in the WYK District and a 2026 allocation of
5,589 mt to fixed gear in the SEO District. This also results in a 2027
allocation of 412 mt to trawl gear in the WYK District. Table 7 lists
the allocations of the 2026 sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl gear.
Table 8 lists the allocations of the 2027 sablefish TACs to trawl gear.
The Council recommended and NMFS agrees that only trawl sablefish
TAC be established biennially and that fixed gear sablefish TAC be
established for 1 year. The trawl sablefish TAC is established for 2026
and 2027 so that retention of incidental catch of sablefish by trawl
gear can commence in January in the second year of the groundfish
harvest specifications. Both the 2026 and 2027 trawl allocations are
specified in these final harvest specifications in tables 7 and 8,
respectively.
The fixed gear sablefish TAC is established annually to ensure that
this Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fishery is conducted concurrently
with the halibut IFQ fishery. Since the final harvest specifications
are expected to be published before the IFQ season begins in March,
NMFS specifies the fixed gear sablefish TAC annually to ensure that the
sablefish IFQ fishery is conducted concurrently with the halibut IFQ
fishery. Concurrent sablefish and halibut IFQ fisheries reduce the
potential for discards of halibut and sablefish in those fisheries.
Accordingly, table 7 lists the 2026 fixed gear allocations, and the
2027 fixed gear allocations will be specified in the 2027 and 2028
harvest specifications.
Table 7--Final 2026 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the GOA and Allocations to Fixed and Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 4,687 3,750 937
Central \1\..................................................... 9,622 7,698 1,924
[[Page 11914]]
West Yakutat \2\................................................ 2,652 2,240 412
Southeast Outside............................................... 5,589 5,589 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 22,550 19,277 3,273
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 sablefish allocations to fixed and trawl gear are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17,
2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026.
\1\ The trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central GOA is further apportioned to the Rockfish Program
cooperatives (990 mt). See table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 and table 12 of this rule. This results in 934 mt
being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\2\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern GOA (WYK and SEO Districts)
sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the WYK District.
Table 8--Final 2027 Sablefish TAC Amounts in the GOA and Allocations to Trawl Gear
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed gear Trawl
Area/district TAC allocation \1\ allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Western......................................................... 4,687 n/a 937
Central \2\..................................................... 9,622 n/a 1,924
West Yakutat \3\................................................ 2,652 n/a 412
Southeast Outside............................................... 5,589 n/a 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 22,550 n/a 3,273
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2027 sablefish allocations to fixed and trawl gear are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1,
2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
\1\ The Council recommended and NMFS agrees 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 trawl allocation of sablefish in the Central GOA is further apportioned to the Rockfish Program
cooperatives (990 mt). See table 28c to 50 CFR part 679 and table 13 of this rule. This results in 934 mt
being available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries.
\3\ The trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the combined Eastern GOA (WYK and SEO Districts)
sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the WYK District.
Allocations, Apportionments, and Sideboard Limits for the Rockfish
Program
These final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for the GOA
include the fishery cooperative allocations and sideboard limitations
established by the Rockfish Program. Rockfish Program participants 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 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, sablefish, shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead rockfish),
allows a participant holding a limited license privilege (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 groundfish 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 assigns 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 harvesters operating under the Rockfish Program to increase
their participation in other, non-Rockfish Program fisheries. These
restrictions and halibut PSC limits are discussed in the Rockfish
Program Groundfish and Halibut PSC Sideboard Limitations section of
this 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 rockfish entry-level longline
fishery in 2026 and 2027. The allocations for the entry-level longline
fishery may increase incrementally each year if the catch in the
previous year exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of a species. The
incremental increase in the allocation would continue each year until
it reaches the maximum percentage of the TAC assigned to the Rockfish
Program for that species. In 2025, the catch of Pacific ocean perch,
northern rockfish, and dusky rockfish did not attain the 90 percent
threshold, and the final allocations to the entry-level longline
fishery therefore remain the same as the 2025 allocations. The
remainder of the TACs for the rockfish primary species are allocated to
the CV and CP cooperatives (Sec. 679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 9 lists the
allocations of the 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 percentage of the TACs
assigned to the Rockfish Program that may be allocated to the rockfish
entry-level longline fishery.
[[Page 11915]]
Table 9--Final 2026 and 2027 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species to the Entry-Level Longline Fishery in the
Central GOA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incremental increase in
Final allocations 2027 if >90% of 2026 Up to maximum
Rockfish primary species (mt) allocation is harvested percent of TAC
(mt) (%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch.............................. 5 5 1
Northern rockfish................................ 5 5 2
Dusky rockfish................................... 50 20 5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 entry-level longline fishery allocations of rockfish primary species are effective from 1200
hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026. The 2027 entry-level longline
fishery allocations of rockfish primary species are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
Section 679.81 requires allocations of rockfish primary species
among various sectors of the Rockfish Program. Tables 10 and 11 list
the final 2026 and 2027 allocations of rockfish primary species in the
Central GOA to the entry-level longline fishery, and rockfish CV and CP
cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. NMFS also is setting aside ICAs
for other directed fisheries in the Central GOA of 2,800 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 of these
species in the Central GOA by other groundfish fisheries.
Allocations among vessels belonging to CV or CP cooperatives are
not included in these final 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 final harvest specifications (Sec. 679.81(f)). After receiving
the Rockfish Program applications, NMFS will calculate the 2026
allocations for CV and CP cooperatives, as 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 10--Final 2026 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central GOA to the Entry-Level Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the
Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial
Incidental allocation to Allocation to
RP species Central GOA catch TAC minus ICA entry level Rockfish Program
annual TAC allowance longline fishery participants \2\
(ICA) \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch................................................ 27,156 2,800 24,356 5 24,351
Northern rockfish.................................................. 3,549 300 3,249 5 3,244
Dusky rockfish..................................................... 5,527 250 5,277 50 5,227
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 allocations of rockfish primary species in the Central GOA are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours,
A.l.t., December 31, 2026.
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81).
Table 11--Final 2027 Allocations of Rockfish Primary Species in the Central GOA to the Entry-Level Longline Fishery and Rockfish Cooperatives in the
Rockfish Program
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial
allocation to Allocation to
RP species Central GOA ICA TAC minus ICA entry level Rockfish Program
annual TAC longline fishery participants \2\
\1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific ocean perch................................................ 27,156 2,800 24,356 5 24,351
Northern rockfish.................................................. 3,549 300 3,249 5 3,244
Dusky rockfish..................................................... 5,527 250 5,277 50 5,227
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2027 allocations of rockfish primary species in the Central GOA are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours,
A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
\1\ Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2).
\2\ Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP 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, rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, shortraker rockfish,
and thornyhead rockfish. Tables 12 and 13 list the allocations of the
2026 and 2027 TACs of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA to
CV and CP cooperatives.
[[Page 11916]]
Table 12--Final 2026 Allocations of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to CV and C/P Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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..................... 21,549 3.81 821 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 allocations of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA are effective from 1200 hours,
A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026.
Table 13--Final 2027 Allocations of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA to CV and C/P Cooperatives
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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..................... 16,717 3.81 637 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2027 allocations of rockfish secondary species in the Central GOA are effective from 0001 hours,
A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
Halibut PSC Limits
Section 679.21(d) establishes annual halibut PSC limit
apportionments 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. It also authorizes the establishment of a halibut PSC limit
apportionment for pot gear.
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 State 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 commercial DSR fishery has been closed since 2020
due to concerns about declining DSR biomass.
NMFS, after consultation with the Council, exempts 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 establishing 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 information available on estimated halibut bycatch
consists of data collected by fisheries observers during 2025. The
estimated halibut bycatch mortality through December 31, 2025, is 265
mt for trawl gear and 80 mt for hook-and-line gear for a total halibut
mortality of 345 mt. The estimated halibut bycatch mortality was
calculated using groundfish and halibut catch data from the NMFS Alaska
Region's catch accounting system. This accounting system contains
historical and recent catch information compiled from each Alaska
groundfish fishery.
Sections 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) authorize 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. The
Council considered information from the 2024 SAFE report, NMFS catch
data, State catch data, International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC)
stock assessment
[[Page 11917]]
and mortality data, and public testimony when apportioning the halibut
PSC limits in table 14. NMFS concurs with the Council's recommendations
for the final 2026 and 2027 seasonal apportionments of halibut PSC
limits pursuant to Sec. 679.21(d)(1) and (4).
Sections 679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specify that any unused
amounts, 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.
Table 14--Final 2026 and 2027 Pacific Halibut PSC Limits, Allowances, and Apportionments
[Values are in mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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............... 86 219
June 10-September 1............. 2 5
September 1-December 31......... 12 31
-------------------------------
Total........................ .............. 255
Hook-and-line (DSR)........................... January 1-December 31........... 100 9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 Pacific halibut PSC limits, allowances, and apportionments are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026. The 2027 Pacific halibut PSC limits,
allowances, and apportionments are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours,
A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
\1\ The Pacific halibut PSC limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the DSR fishery in the SEO District and
to hook-and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery. NMFS, after consultation with the Council, exempts the
sablefish IFQ fixed gear fishery, and the pot and jig gear groundfish fisheries, from halibut PSC limits.
Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes further apportionment of the
trawl halibut PSC limit to trawl fishery categories listed in Sec.
679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual apportionments are based on each
category's proportional share of the anticipated halibut bycatch
mortality during the 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, and ``other species'' (i.e., sharks and
octopuses) (Sec. 679.21(d)(3)(iii)).
NMFS will combine available trawl halibut PSC limit apportionments
during the second season deep-water and shallow-water species fishery
categories for use in either fishery category 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 deep-water and shallow-water
trawl 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 15 lists the final
apportionments of trawl halibut PSC limits between the trawl gear deep-
water and shallow-water species fishery categories.
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
fishery category's halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment. After the
combined CV and CP halibut PSC limit of 191 mt assigned to the Rockfish
Program, 149 mt remains for the trawl deep-water fishery category's
halibut PSC third seasonal apportionment.
Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the amount of the halibut PSC
limit assigned to Rockfish Program participants that could be re-
apportioned to the last seasonal apportionment for the general GOA
trawl fisheries during the current fishing year to no more than 55
percent of the unused annual halibut PSC limit assigned 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 15--Final 2026 and 2027 Apportionment of Pacific Halibut PSC Limits Between the Trawl Gear Deep-Water
Species Fishery and the Shallow-Water Species Fishery Categories
[Values are in mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------
[[Page 11918]]
Total...................................................... n/a n/a 1,705
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 apportionments of Pacific halibut PSC limits are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17,
2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026. The 2027 apportionments of Pacific halibut PSC limits are
effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
\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 category 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 DSR fishery (i.e., the other hook-and-line fishery) must be
apportioned between CVs and CPs in accordance with Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with these harvest specifications. CVs
and CPs are apportioned part of the GOA halibut PSC limit in proportion
to the total Western and Central GOA Pacific cod allocations. 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.
In this final rule, NMFS apportions halibut PSC limits of 163 mt
and 92 mt to the hook-and-line CV and hook-and-line CP sectors,
respectively. Table 16 lists the final 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 the halibut PSC limit for 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 sector for the remainder of that fishing year if
NMFS determines that an additional amount of halibut PSC is necessary
for that sector to continue its directed fishing operations (Sec.
679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)).
Table 16--Final 2026 and 2027 Apportionments of the ``Other Hook-and-Line Fishery'' Annual Halibut PSC Limit Between the Hook-and-Line Gear CV and C/P
Sectors
[Values are in mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than DSR Sector annual Seasonal Seasonal
Sector allowance amount Season percentage amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CV............................................. 255 163 January 1-June 10...................... 86 140
June 10-September 1.................... 2 3
September 1-December 31................ 12 20
C/P............................................ 92 January 1-June 10...................... 86 79
June 10-September 1.................... 2 2
September 1-December 31................ 12 11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 apportionments of Pacific halibut PSC limits are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December
31, 2026. The 2027 apportionments of Pacific halibut PSC limits are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
March 17, 2027.
Estimates of Halibut Biomass and Stock Condition
The IPHC annually assesses the abundance and potential yield of the
Pacific halibut stock using all available data from the commercial and
sport fisheries, other removals, and scientific surveys. Additional
information on the Pacific halibut stock assessment may be found in the
IPHC's 2025 Pacific halibut stock assessment (December 2025), available
on the IPHC website at: <a href="https://www.iphc.int">https://www.iphc.int</a>. The IPHC considered the
2025 Pacific halibut stock assessment at its January 2026 annual
meeting when it set the 2026 commercial halibut fishery catch limits.
Halibut Discard Mortality Rates
To monitor halibut bycatch mortality allowances and apportionments,
the Regional Administrator uses observed halibut incidental catch
rates, halibut discard mortality rates (DMRs), 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 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 the most recent
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 GOA groundfish SAFE report. The DMRs calculated
using the DMR methodology are reviewed by the Plan Team in September
and the SSC in October. The Plan Team and SSC reviewed the 2026 and
2027 DMRs in September 2025 and October 2025, respectively, and that
review is available at: https://meetings.npfmc.org/
[[Page 11919]]
CommentReview/DownloadFile?p=fdf11e1a-cb30-4bbb-8b43-
90bf787c9800.pdf&fileName=Halibut%20DMR%20Working%20Group%20recommendati
ons%20for%202026-2027.pdf.
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). DMRs are calculated using either 2- or 4-year
averages, depending on data available. A 2-year average is used because
it is an appropriate timeframe to capture enough samples and maintain
stable estimates and PSC accounting. However, in 2023, the working
group completed a 5-year review of rates and intra-annual variance of
these rates and began specifying 4-year averages for the Rockfish
Program non-pelagic trawl CV, hook-and-line CV, and pot operational
groups. All other operational groups use a 2-year average to maintain
rates that best capture current fishing practices. This methodology
ensures 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.
At the October 2025 meeting, the SSC, AP, and Council concurred
with the continued use of the DMR estimation methodology to calculate
DMRs for 2026 and 2027. NMFS adopts the 2026 and 2027 DMRs, which use
either 2- or 4-year averages. The final 2026 and 2027 DMRs in this rule
are unchanged from the DMRs in the proposed 2026 and 2027 harvest
specifications (90 FR 58185, December 16, 2025). Table 17 lists these
final 2026 and 2027 DMRs.
Table 17--Final 2026 and 2027 Halibut Discard Mortality Rates for Vessels Fishing in the GOA
[Mortality rates are halibut assumed to be dead]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Halibut discard
Gear Sector Groundfish fishery mortality rate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pelagic trawl.......................... CV........................ All...................... 1
Pelagic trawl.......................... C/P....................... All...................... 1
Non-pelagic trawl...................... CV........................ Rockfish Program......... 0.53
Non-pelagic trawl...................... CV........................ All others............... 0.62
Non-pelagic trawl...................... Mothership and C/P........ All...................... 0.79
Hook-and-line.......................... C/P....................... All...................... 0.12
Hook-and-line.......................... CV........................ All...................... 0.15
Pot.................................... CV and C/P................ All...................... 0.29
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The halibut DMRs are effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March
17, 2027.
Chinook Salmon PSC Limits
Section 679.21(h)(2) establishes separate Chinook salmon PSC limits
in the Western GOA and Central GOA in the trawl pollock directed
fishery. These limits require that NMFS close directed fishing for
pollock in the Western GOA 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
Chinook salmon in the Western GOA and 18,316 Chinook 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 GOA 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 non-pollock GOA groundfish trawl fisheries
and close an applicable sector if it reaches its Chinook salmon PSC
limit (Sec. 679.21(h)(8)).
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 during a calendar year. If either or both of these two
sectors limit its use of Chinook salmon PSC to a certain threshold
amount through the end of the calendar year (i.e., 3,120 for trawl CPs
and 2,340 for non-Rockfish Program trawl CVs), that sector will receive
an increase to its Chinook salmon PSC limit for the following calendar
year (4,080 for trawl CPs and 3,060 for non-Rockfish Program trawl CVs)
(Sec. 679.21(h)(4)). In 2025, the trawl CP sector did not exceed 3,120
Chinook salmon PSC; therefore, the 2026 trawl CP sector Chinook salmon
PSC limit will be 4,080 Chinook salmon. In 2025, the non-Rockfish
Program trawl CV sector did not exceed 2,340 Chinook salmon PSC;
therefore, the 2026 non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sector Chinook salmon
PSC limit will be 3,060 Chinook salmon. NMFS will specify the 2027 PSC
limits for the trawl CP and non-Rockfish Program trawl CV sectors based
on their performance and their ability to minimize their use of their
respective Chinook salmon PSC limits during the 2026 calendar year
(Sec. 679.21(h)(4)).
American Fisheries Act (AFA) C/P and CV Groundfish Sideboard Limits
Section 679.64 establishes groundfish harvesting sideboard
limitations 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 as compared to those fishermen and
processors who receive exclusive harvesting and processing privileges
under the AFA. In addition, Sec. 679.7(k)(1)(ii) prohibits listed AFA
CPs and CPs designated on a listed AFA CP permit from harvesting any
species of groundfish in the GOA. Section 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 m) 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
[[Page 11920]]
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.
Tables 18 and 19 list the final 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 the sideboard
limits listed in tables 18 and 19.
Table 18--Final 2026 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act CV Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 2009-
2019 non-
exempt AFA CV Final 2026 Final 2026 non-
Species Seasonal apportionments Area retained catch 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 4,266 38
10.
C................................. 0.011 13,790 152
B Season: September 1- W................................. 0.009 2,427 22
November1.
C................................. 0.011 7,759 85
Shallow-water flatfish................. Annual.................... C................................. 0.011 28,455 313
Rex sole............................... C................................. 0.014 13,582 190
Arrowtooth flounder.................... C................................. 0.011 68,511 754
Flathead sole.......................... C................................. 0.007 22,083 155
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 GOA non-exempt AFA CV groundfish sideboard limits are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2026.
Table 19--Final 2027 GOA Non-Exempt American Fisheries Act CV Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 2009-
2019 non-
exempt AFA CV Final 2027 Final 2027 non-
Species Seasonal apportionments Area retained catch 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 3,310 30
10.
C................................. 0.011 10,698 118
B Season: September 1- W................................. 0.009 1,882 17
November 1.
C................................. 0.011 6,019 66
Shallow-water flatfish................. Annual.................... C................................. 0.011 28,455 313
Rex sole............................... C................................. 0.014 13,582 190
Arrowtooth flounder.................... C................................. 0.011 68,511 754
Flathead sole.......................... C................................. 0.007 22,083 155
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2027 GOA non-exempt AFA CV groundfish sideboard limits are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
March 17, 2027.
[[Page 11921]]
Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits
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 20 lists the 2026 and
2027 non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC sideboard limits for vessels using
trawl gear in the GOA.
Table 20--Final 2026 and 2027 Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the
GOA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual trawl gear halibut PSC limit Annual non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC
Ratio (percent) (mt) limit (mt)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0.072 1,705 123
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC sideboard limit is effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17,
2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026. The 2027 non-exempt AFA CV halibut PSC sideboard limit is
effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard 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 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 catch 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 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). In
addition, through rulemaking (84 FR 2723, February 8, 2019), non-AFA
crab vessels are prohibited 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 GOA and
Central GOA (Sec. 680.22(e)(1)(iii)), so NMFS does not establish
groundfish sideboard limits for non-AFA crab vessels except for Pacific
cod apportioned to CVs using pot gear in the Western GOA and Central
GOA.
Tables 21 and 22 list the final groundfish sideboard limitations
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 21--Final 2026 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA
crab vessel Final 2026 Final 2026 non-
Species Season Sector catch to 1996- TACs AFA crab vessel
2000 total sideboard limit
harvest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.............................. A Season: January 20-June 10... Western GOA Pot CV......... 0.0997 4,266 425
Central GOA Pot CV......... 0.0474 13,790 654
B Season: September 1-November Western GOA Pot CV......... 0.0997 2,427 242
1.
Central GOA Pot CV......... 0.0474 7,759 368
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 GOA non-AFA crab vessel groundfish sideboard limits are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t.,
December 31, 2026.
Table 22--Final 2027 GOA Non-American Fisheries Act Crab Vessel Groundfish Sideboard Limits
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of 1996-
2000 non-AFA
crab vessel Final 2026 Final 2026 non-
Species Season Sector catch to 1996- TACs AFA crab vessel
2000 total sideboard limit
harvest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific cod.............................. A Season: January 20-June 10... Western GOA Pot CV......... 0.0997 3,310 330
Central GOA Pot CV......... 0.0474 10,698 507
B Season: September 1-November Western GOA Pot CV......... 0.0997 1,882 188
1.
Central GOA Pot CV......... 0.0474 6,019 285
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2027 GOA non-AFA crab vessel groundfish sideboard limits are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
March 17, 2027.
[[Page 11922]]
Rockfish Program Groundfish and Halibut PSC Sideboard Limitations
The Rockfish Program establishes three classes of sideboard
provisions: (1) CV groundfish sideboard restrictions; (2) CP rockfish
sideboard restrictions; and (3) 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 GOA
groundfish fisheries.
CVs participating in the Rockfish Program may not participate in
directed fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, and northern
rockfish in the WYK District and Western GOA from July 1 through July
31. Also, CVs participating in the Rockfish Program 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 WYK District and Western GOA from July 1
through July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(2)). The sideboard ratio for each
rockfish fishery in the WYK 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 limit that is not
assigned to rockfish 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 fisheries
from July 1 to July 31 (Sec. 679.82(e)(3) and (5)). No halibut PSC
sideboard limits apply to the CV sector, as CVs participating in
cooperatives receive a portion of the annual halibut PSC limit. CPs
that opt out of the Rockfish Program are able to access that portion of
the deep-water and shallow-water fishery halibut PSC sideboard limit
not assigned to CP rockfish 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; however,
some of these vessels may choose to opt out of the Rockfish Program.
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 sideboards for 2026. NMFS will announce these limits
after March 1 in the Federal Register. Table 23 lists the final
Rockfish Program halibut PSC sideboard limits for the CP sector.
Table 23--Final 2026 and 2027 Rockfish Program Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for the C/P Sector
[Values are rounded to the nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shallow-water fishery Deep-water fishery Annual trawl Annual shallow-water Annual deep-water
Sector halibut PSC sideboard halibut PSC sideboard gear halibut fishery halibut PSC fishery halibut PSC
ratio (percent) ratio (percent) PSC limit (mt) sideboard limit (mt) sideboard limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C/P.................................. 0.1 2.5 1,705 2 43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 Rockfish Program halibut PSC sideboard limits are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December
31, 2026. The 2027 Rockfish Program halibut PSC sideboard limits are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t.,
March 17, 2027.
Amendment 80 Program Groundfish and Halibut 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
sideboard 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 listed in table 37 to 50 CFR part 679. The Amendment 80 Program
vessel, the F/V ``Golden Fleece'' is prohibited from directed fishing
for pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, dusky rockfish, and
northern rockfish in the GOA, and is not subject to halibut PSC
sideboard limits 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). Tables 24 and 25
list the final groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program
vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted or incidental catch of sideboard
species made by Amendment 80 Program vessels from the sideboard limits
in tables 24 and 25.
Table 24--Final 2026 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
amendment 80 Final 2026
Species Season Area sector vessels Final 2026 amendment 80
1998-2004 catch TACs vessel sideboard
to TAC limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
[[Page 11923]]
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............................. 0.02 4,266 85
A Season: January 20-June 10 C............................. 0.044 13,790 607
B Season: September 1- W............................. 0.02 2,427 49
November 1.
B Season: September 1- C............................. 0.044 7,759 341
November 1.
Annual...................... WYK........................... 0.034 1,811 62
Pacific ocean perch................. Annual...................... W............................. 0.994 1,688 1,678
Annual...................... WYK........................... 0.961 1,993 1,915
Northern rockfish................... Annual...................... W............................. 1 1,346 1,346
Dusky rockfish...................... Annual...................... W............................. 0.764 199 152
Annual...................... WYK........................... 0.896 204 183
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 GOA groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels are effective from 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400
hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026.
Table 25--Final 2026 GOA Groundfish Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels
[Values are rounded to nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio of
amendment 80 Final 2026
Species Season Area sector vessels Final 2026 amendment 80
1998-2004 catch TACs vessel sideboard
to TAC limit (mt)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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............................. 0.02 3,310 66
A Season: January 20-June 10 C............................. 0.044 10,698 471
B Season: September 1- W............................. 0.02 1,882 38
November 1.
B Season: September 1- C............................. 0.044 6,019 265
November 1.
Annual...................... WYK........................... 0.034 1,450 49
Pacific ocean perch................. Annual...................... W............................. 0.994 1,688 1,678
Annual...................... WYK........................... 0.961 1,993 1,915
Northern rockfish................... Annual...................... W............................. 1 1,346 1,346
Dusky rockfish...................... Annual...................... W............................. 0.764 199 152
Annual...................... WYK........................... 0.896 204 183
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2027 GOA groundfish sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1, 2027, through 1200
hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
The halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels
in the GOA are based on the historic 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 historic use to
accommodate two factors: (1) the 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 26
lists the final halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program
vessels. These tables incorporate 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 Program halibut PSC sideboard limit
may carry forward to the next season limit (Sec. 679.92(b)(2)).
[[Page 11924]]
Table 26--Final 2026 and 2027 Halibut PSC Sideboard Limits for Amendment 80 Program Vessels in the GOA
[Values are rounded to nearest mt]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic
amendment 80 use 2026 and 2027
of the annual Annual trawl amendment 80
Season Season dates Target fishery halibut PSC gear halibut PSC vessel halibut
limit catch limit (mt) PSC limit
(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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The 2026 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels are effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 2400 hours,
A.l.t., December 31, 2026. The 2027 halibut PSC sideboard limits for Amendment 80 Program vessels are effective from 0001 hours, A.l.t., January 1,
2027, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
Directed Fishing Closures
Pursuant to Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), if the Regional Administrator
determines: (1) that any allocation or apportionment of a target
species or species group allocated or apportioned to a fishery will be
reached; or (with respect to pollock and Pacific cod) (2) that an
allocation or apportionment to an inshore or offshore component or
sector allocation will be reached, then the Regional Administrator may
establish a directed fishing allowance (DFA) for that species or
species group. If the Regional Administrator establishes a DFA and that
allowance is or will be reached before the end of the fishing season or
year, NMFS will prohibit directed fishing for that species or species
group in the specified GOA subarea, regulatory area, or district (Sec.
679.20(d)(1)(iii)).
The Regional Administrator has determined that the TACs for the
species and species groups listed in table 27 are necessary to account
for the incidental catch of these species in other anticipated
groundfish fisheries for the 2026 and 2027 fishing years.
Table 27--Final 2026 and 2027 Directed Fishing Closures in the GOA
[Amounts for incidental catch in other directed fisheries are in mt]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ICA amounts ICA amounts
Species Area/sector or program/gear for 2026 for 2027
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pollock \1\................................... All, ICA, offshore.............. 0 0
Shumagin (610), A80 sideboard, 82 82
trawl.
Chirikof (620), A80 sideboard, 121 121
trawl.
Kodiak (630), A80 sideboard, 76 76
trawl.
WYK District (640), A80 8 8
sideboard, trawl.
Sablefish..................................... All, trawl \2\.................. 3,273 3,273
Pacific Cod................................... Western GOA, CV, HAL............ 72 72
Western GOA, CP, trawl.......... 125 125
Western GOA, AFA sideboard, 52 52
trawl.
Central GOA, CP, trawl \2\...... 582 582
Pacific ocean perch........................... Central GOA, ICA, trawl \2\..... 2,800 2,800
Northern rockfish............................. Central GOA, ICA, trawl \2\..... 300 300
Shortraker rockfish........................... All \2\......................... 647 647
Dusky rockfish................................ Central GOA, ICA, trawl \2\..... 250 250
Rougheye/Blackspotted rockfish................ All \2\......................... 1,203 1,203
Demersal shelf rockfish....................... C/W/WYK......................... 271 271
Thornyhead rockfish........................... All \2\......................... 1,338 1,338
Other rockfish................................ All............................. 1,384 1,384
Atka mackerel................................. All............................. 3,000 3,000
Big skate..................................... All............................. 2,835 2,835
Longnose skate................................ All............................. 2,536 2,536
Other skates.................................. All............................. 665 665
Sharks........................................ All............................. 4,891 4,891
Octopuses..................................... All............................. 964 964
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The directed fishing closures are effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026, through 1200 hours,
A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
\1\ Pollock is closed to directed fishing in the GOA by the offshore component under Sec. 679.20(a)(6)(i).
[[Page 11925]]
\2\ Closures are not applicable to participants in Central GOA Rockfish Program cooperatives while such
participants are checked into the Central GOA Rockfish Program (and therefore are fishing under the authority
of a rockfish cooperative quota permit) because cooperatives are prohibited from exceeding their allocations
(Sec. 679.7(n)(6)(viii)).
Consequently, in accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the
Regional Administrator establishes the DFA for the species or species
groups listed in table 27 as zero mt. Therefore, in accordance with
Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for those
species and species groups, areas, gear types, and components in the
GOA listed in table 27 effective at 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2026,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 17, 2027.
Inseason closures implemented under the 2025 and 2026 GOA harvest
specifications for groundfish (90 FR 12468, March 18, 2025) remain
effective under authority of these final 2026 and 2027 harvest
specifications and until the date specified in those closure
notifications or superseded by a subsequent action. Inseason closures
are posted at the following website under the Alaska filter for
Management Areas: <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-announcements/bulletins">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/rules-and-announcements/bulletins</a>.
While these closures are in effect, the maximum retainable amounts
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a fishing trip.
These closures to directed fishing are in addition to closures and
prohibitions found at 50 CFR part 679. NMFS may implement other
openings and closures during the 2026 and 2027 fishing years as
necessary for effective conservation and management and consistent with
the regulations at 50 CFR part 679.
Comments and Responses
NMFS received three letters with six unique comments during the
public comment period for the proposed GOA groundfish harvest
specifications (90 FR 58185, December 16, 2025). One letter was from an
organization, and two letters were from individuals. NMFS's responses
are below.
Comment 1: NMFS should consider how the harvest specifications
affect communities, including small communities.
Response: NMFS recognizes the harvest specifications, in particular
the specification of TACs, affect fishery participants and communities
and the importance of the communities that depend on Alaska fisheries.
One of the purposes of the harvest strategy used to develop the
harvest specifications is to support sustainable fishing communities.
The harvest specifications specify TAC amounts for harvest by fishing
vessels and processing by fish processors, both of which are supported
by businesses located in coastal communities. Many coastal communities
rely on processing plants to generate revenue and employ community
members, and reducing the amount of fish landed in these communities
could have detrimental economic effects on these communities.
The TAC amounts are set each year based on consideration of the
best scientific information available and public comment relevant to
impacts on communities. The Economic SAFE, ESRs, and ESPs provide
relevant information on the status of fishery participants and
communities throughout Alaska and relevant socioeconomic indicators are
presented in the ESRs and ESPs. As noted in the 2024 ESR, the majority
of Alaska groundfish and crab fisheries are sustainably managed.
The harvest specifications are informed by public comment that can
be provided at every step through the Council and NMFS processes.
Public comment can inform the Council's and NMFS's consideration in
recommending and setting TACs, respectively, such as impacts to small
communities. The AP also reviews and provides TAC recommendations to
the Council. The Council appoints to the AP recognized experts from the
fishing industry and related fields who represent a variety of gear
types, industry, and related interests as well as a spread of
geographic regions of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest having major
interest in the fisheries off Alaska. The AP also has a designated
Alaska Native Tribal Representative seat. The purpose of the AP is to
represent and provide the perspectives of fishery participants and
affected communities. Through its role, the AP provides perspectives on
the socioeconomic and cultural impacts of TAC and PSC amounts on
fishery participants and affected communities.
Each year, NMFS also publishes the proposed specifications and
invites public comment. This provides the public with another
opportunity to offer NMFS information and input for consideration on
the social and economic impacts of the proposed TACs for each stock or
stock complex.
Ultimately, every final 2026 and 2027 TAC has been specified within
the robust, precautionary framework outlined in responses to comments 2
and 4; this framework is designed to prevent overfishing while
achieving the OY for the GOA groundfish fisheries. These TACs, as
specified under the harvest strategy, are within the OY range for the
GOA groundfish fisheries and support sustainable fishing communities
while also providing for sustainable incomes for fishery participants.
Comment 2: Setting TAC above precautionary or conservative levels
will worsen bycatch impacts on ecosystems and harm local Alaska
communities dependent on them.
Response: The TAC setting process accounts for ecosystem and
socioeconomic information, such as impacts on communities. The TACs
specified in this final rule are consistent with regulations on
bycatch, implemented in consideration of ecosystem information, based
on precaution that is built into the process, and reflective of
socioeconomic considerations, like effects on communities. Effects on
communities are also addressed in response to comment 1. The
specification of bycatch (PSC) limits is addressed in response to
comment 5.
The annual process for specifying TACs for groundfish in the GOA is
a thorough, scientifically driven process informed by the best
available information on the status of target and bycatch species and
the marine ecosystem in the GOA as well as socioeconomic considerations
like harvest data and impacts on fishery participants and communities.
The primary sources of ecosystem information are the ESRs, which
provide the Plan Team, SSC, AP, Council, scientific community, and the
public, as well as NMFS, with annual information about ecosystem status
and trends for the GOA. The ESRs are drafted by scientists and staff
from NOAA, other Federal and State agencies, academic institutions,
Tribes, and non-profits. The ESRs also provide information on the
status of PSC species like salmon, halibut, and crab. The 2024 GOA ESR,
for example, includes information on: (1) directed commercial catch of
salmon; juvenile salmon abundance, size, and condition; (2) trends in
survival of coho, sockeye, and pink salmon in Southeast Alaska; and (3)
low returns of pink salmon in 2024.
Ecosystem information from the ESRs, as well as ESPs, is integrated
into the stock assessments for target species in several ways. Stock
assessment authors will include, if possible, relevant ecosystem-
related factors into their modeling. Many models use variables
[[Page 11926]]
that are potentially ecosystem-related, climate-impacted like size and
condition of fish (i.e., length and weight) and recruitment, and some
models integrate specific environmental factors that have been
influenced by climate variability, such as the extent of the cold pool
and bottom temperature in the survey area. Some stock assessments
present ecosystem considerations qualitatively through an additional
ecosystem considerations section prepared for operational assessments,
and all stock assessments include a risk table. The tables include four
categories of considerations: (1) assessment-related; (2) population
dynamics; (3) environmental/ecosystem; and (4) fishery performance. The
risk tables inform the Plan Team and SSC OFL and ABC recommendations by
signaling the status (i.e., level of concern) of these four
considerations for a stock or stock complex. This means that a
reduction can occur for the maximum recommended ABC as specified by the
stock assessment model or as recommended by the author. Risk tables are
most informative for the specification of ABC by accounting for
additional scientific information and uncertainty that is not captured
in the modeling.
Some stock assessments also include an ESP, which is a framework
for organizing ecosystem and socioeconomic information about an
individual stock. The ESP informs environmental and ecosystem
considerations, population dynamics, and fisheries performance about
that stock and is also integrated into the stock assessment in the risk
table. GOA groundfish stocks with ESPs include: (1) sablefish; (2)
pollock; and (3) Pacific cod.
As a result, the Plan Team and SSC review a robust set of
information on the status of target and bycatch species and the GOA
ecosystem. This information is fully incorporated in the groundfish
harvest specifications process such that the setting of OFL and ABC for
stocks and stock complexes accounts for the best scientific information
available. Stock assessments that utilize this information are
thoroughly reviewed by the Plan Team and the SSC through a public
process.
The TAC setting process is likewise informed by this information,
which is the best scientific information available on the biological
condition of the stocks and socioeconomic considerations. The ESRs and
ESPs provide relevant information for setting TACs, and information
from the ESRs and ESPs is presented and reviewed by the Plan Team, SSC,
AP, and Council during the process. In the TAC setting process, the
Council reviews the Plan Team and SSC reports. With this information,
public comment, and TAC recommendations from the Council's AP, the
Council recommends TACs to NMFS. NMFS reviews those recommendations,
the Plan Team and SSC reports, the SAFE reports, and other relevant
documents.
For specifying TAC, the FMP and regulations further provide that
TAC may be lower than the ABC if warranted on the basis of bycatch
considerations, management uncertainty, or socioeconomic
considerations, or if required in order to cause the sum of the TACs to
fall within the OY range (FMP section 3.2.3.4.1; Sec. 679.20(a)(3)).
In the GOA, some TACs have been adjusted based on PSC considerations.
The Western GOA shallow-water flatfish, Western GOA arrowtooth
flounder, and Western GOA 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, more fully utilized
fisheries.
Consistent with National Standard 1 guidelines in Federal
regulations at Sec. 600.310 and the FMP, the TAC cannot exceed ABC,
and ABC cannot exceed the OFL (Sec. 600.310(f)(3), (f)(4), and
(g)(4)). For all stocks and stock complexes in the GOA, ABCs do not
exceed the OFLs, and TACs do not exceed the ABCs (and therefore ACLs).
The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that conservation and management
measures shall prevent overfishing while achieving, on a continuing
basis, the OY for each fishery (16 U.S.C. 1851(a)(1)). The OFL is the
catch level above which overfishing is occurring; overfishing occurs
whenever a stock or stock complex is subjected to a level of fishing
mortality or annual total catch that jeopardizes the capacity of a
stock or stock complex to produce maximum sustainable yield on a
continuing basis (FMP section 3.2.1). This rule specifies an OFL for
each stock and stock complex. NMFS manages fisheries inseason by
monitoring catch (retained and discarded) to ensure that TACs are not
exceeded. Managing catch to stay at or below the TAC ensures that the
ABC (and therefore ACL) and OFL are not exceeded. Each stock assessment
also notes whether overfishing has occurred for that stock or stock
complex, and none of the groundfish of the GOA are subject to
overfishing.
Comment 3: It is important to manage fisheries sustainably, prevent
overfishing, and set clear limits.
Response: NMFS acknowledges that we are setting harvest and PSC
limits in the GOA groundfish fisheries to accomplish the goals and
objectives of the GOA FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This final rule
sets clear limits for the GOA groundfish fisheries through the
specification of OFL, ABC, and TAC for each stock and stock complex.
See the responses to comments 1 and 2 for more information.
Comment 4: The TACs should be set at the most conservative and
precautionary level at the lower limit of the OY of 116,000 mt. The
current process does not account for uncertainty that faces the
ecosystem and fisheries.
Response: The groundfish harvest specifications process and
resulting TACs incorporates available information on the status of the
ecosystems, accounts for uncertainty and risk, and is precautionary,
and for these reasons NMFS does not agree that TACs should be set any
lower than the current sum (which is within the mid-range of the OY).
The FMP and implementing regulations direct that the sum of the
TACs for the GOA ``must be within the OY range specified'' in
regulation (Sec. 679.20(a)(1)(i)(B) and (a)(2)). The sum of the TACs
for 2026 is 470,482 mt and for 2027 is 465,697 mt, and both sums are
within the OY range specified in regulation (116,000 to 800,000 mt).
This OY, which was previously recommended by the Council and approved
by NMFS, is set forth in the FMP and in regulation. NMFS has therefore
determined that, in any given year, setting the TACs to fall within the
OY range is consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and provides the
greatest overall benefit to the Nation, particularly with respect to
food production and recreational opportunities and taking into account
the protection of marine ecosystems and relevant economic, social, or
ecological factors (Sec. 600.310(e)(3)).
NMFS does not agree that TACs should be set any lower than the
current sum (which is within the mid-range of the OY). These TACs, as
explained below, account for the current status of fish stocks and the
GOA ecosystem, while also accounting for current uncertainties and
socioeconomic considerations across the fisheries and communities of
the GOA.
The harvest specifications process is a robust process that
involves significant scientific review and input and uses the best
scientific information available when applying the harvest strategy to
establish annual harvest specifications. Scientists from the AFSC
prepare the stock assessments using sophisticated statistical analyses
of fish populations. The assessments for the GOA are informed by the
survey and harvest data
[[Page 11927]]
available, including biennial surveys in the GOA. The stock assessments
undergo rigorous review, during public meetings, by the scientists and
resource managers on the Plan Team and SSC. The Plan Team first reviews
the stock assessments and recommends OFLs and ABCs for each stock or
stock complex for specified management areas. The SSC then reviews the
assessments and recommends OFLs and ABCs, which provide the foundation
for the Council to recommend and NMFS to implement the TAC for each
stock and stock complex. The status of fish stocks in the GOA is
reviewed in each stock assessment, the status of the GOA ecosystem is
compiled in ESR and other reports that are expressly considered
throughout the process, and the status of fisheries and fishing
communities are also compiled in several reports and presented at the
various meetings and during the public comment period.
Precautions that account for uncertainties and risk are embedded
throughout the harvest strategy and annual stock assessment process for
specifying OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for GOA groundfish stocks. First, OFL
and ABC are calculated using prescribed methods set forth in the FMP.
These methods become more precautionary depending on the tier level and
stock status. For example, with less reliable information, the larger
the buffer (reduction) between OFL and ABC, and as stock status
declines, the OFL and ABC are reduced. Calculating OFLs and ABCs using
this tier system accounts for uncertainties as it is based on the level
of reliable information about the stock and is adaptive based on stock
status. Precaution built into the specification of OFL and ABC also
influences TAC because TAC cannot exceed ABC, and ABC cannot exceed
OFL. Second, risk tables are a tool prepared for Alaska groundfish
stocks to specifically address uncertainty across four categories of
considerations: (1) assessment-related; (2) population dynamics; (3)
environmental/ecosystem; and (4) fishery performance. The risk tables
inform Plan Team and SSC OFL and ABC recommendations by signaling the
status (i.e., level of concern) of these four considerations for each
assessed stock and stock complex. This means that a reduction can occur
for the maximum recommended ABC as specified by the stock assessment
model or as recommended by the author. Risk tables are most informative
for the specification of ABC by accounting for additional scientific
information and uncertainty that is not captured in the modeling. This
approach is consistent with the FMP and National Standard 1 guidelines
that ABC accounts for scientific uncertainty in the estimate of OFL and
``any other scientific uncertainty'' (FMP section 3.2.3.3.1; Sec.
600.310(f)(1)(ii)). Because TAC cannot exceed ABC, reductions in ABC
for scientific uncertainty based on the risk table result in additional
precaution in the catch limits (i.e., TACs) for groundfish of the GOA.
The specification of TACs also accounts for management uncertainty.
As defined in the FMP and consistent with National Standard 1
guidelines, TAC is the annual catch target for a stock or stock
complex, derived from the ABC by considering social and economic
factors and management uncertainty (i.e., uncertainty in the ability of
managers to constrain catch so the ACL is not exceeded, and uncertainty
in quantifying the true catch amount) (FMP section 3.2.1; Sec.
600.310(f) and (g)(4)). The FMP and regulations further provide that
TAC may be lower than the ABC if warranted on the basis of bycatch
considerations, management uncertainty, or socioeconomic considerations
(FMP section 3.2.3.4.1; Sec. 679.20(a)(3)). TACs in the GOA have been
reduced to account for other socioeconomic considerations, specifically
to reduce the amount of discards, to accommodate ICAs in other
fisheries, or to allow for increased harvest opportunities for some
target species while conserving the halibut PSC limit for use in other,
more fully utilized fisheries.
Any additional uncertainty in this year's process was addressed by
the SSC in December 2025 and summarized in the SSC report. At its
December 2025 meeting during which the SSC recommended final 2026 and
2027 OFLs and ABCs, the SSC recognized that due to the disruption in
the completion of new assessments in 2025 there is increased
uncertainty and elevated risk for all stocks. In implementing what the
SSC called a ``structured process'' for developing its OFL and ABC
recommendations in light of this increased uncertainty and risk, the
SSC used as a starting point the proposed OFLs and ABCs for 2026 that
were recommended by the SSC in October 2025. These are the final OFLs
and ABCs for 2026 that were reviewed in the 2024 cycle and are based on
the 2024 SAFE report. Under the SSC's framework, the SSC then evaluated
whether any stocks should be considered for potential changes to those
proposed specifications and whether individual stocks warranted
consideration of additional conservation. The SSC determined that the
framework established criteria for considering whether the proposed
specifications, which were based on the most recent fully peer reviewed
SAFE reports, remain the best available scientific advice.
The SSC's stock-specific deliberations focused on whether
additional uncertainty and risk were sufficient to warrant reductions
in ABC (which, as explained above, influences TAC as TAC cannot exceed
ABC). SSC discussions highlighted the need to explicitly consider the
increase in uncertainty as stock trends and reference points are
projected forward over multiple years but noted that an approach for
quantifying increased uncertainty could not be developed in the current
timeframe. Ultimately, SSC used the established qualitative risk table
framework for consistency across years in order to inform whether
reductions in ABC were warranted on the basis of the best information
available during this year's specifications process. The SSC also
explained that the specifications process is based on the tier system,
precautionary harvest control rules, and assessment frequencies that
reflect different life history dynamics and are periodically reviewed
and adjusted. In sum, the SSC recognized the potential for increased
uncertainty and risk in developing the 2026 and 2027 OFLs and ABCs. Any
additional uncertainty and risk was expressly assessed by the SSC for
each stock through the evaluation of the risk tables, which are an
established method for assessing additional scientific information and
uncertainty that are not captured in the modeling for calculating ABC.
The SSC's December 2025 report is available at: <a href="https://meetings.npfmc.org/CommentReview/DownloadFile?p=74322a78-4de1-451c-a10f-13b11286f8b9.pdf&fileName=Draft%20SSC%20Report%20Dec%202025.pdf">https://meetings.npfmc.org/CommentReview/DownloadFile?p=74322a78-4de1-451c-a10f-13b11286f8b9.pdf&fileName=Draft%20SSC%20Report%20Dec%202025.pdf</a>.
Comment 5: The PSC limits should be set at the most conservative
and precautionary level for the GOA. The information used to set the
PSC limits is stale and outdated.
Response: The harvest specifications set PSC limits based on pre-
existing frameworks set out in the regulations. In these final harvest
specifications, NMFS implements PSC limits consistent with the
requirements of the regulations for setting PSC limits.
Halibut PSC limits are established in regulations at Sec.
679.21(d) such that there is no updated information needed for fixed
limits already established in regulation, with the exception discussed
in the next paragraph. Modification to
[[Page 11928]]
the halibut PSC limits set in regulations is outside of the scope of
this action.
For apportioning the ``other hook-and-line fishery'' halibut PSC
limit between CVs and CPs, NMFS has used the most recent information
available, the 2025 Pacific cod stock assessment. Section
679.21(d)(2)(iii) requires that the ``other hook-and-line fishery''
halibut PSC limit apportionment to vessels using hook-and-line gear
must be apportioned between CVs and CPs based on the Western GOA and
Central GOA Pacific cod allocations, which vary annually based on the
proportion of the Pacific cod biomass between the Western GOA, Central
GOA, and Eastern GOA. The updated Pacific cod stock assessment
describes this distributional calculation, which apportions ABC among
GOA regulatory areas on the basis of the three most recent stock
surveys. NMFS therefore implements this apportionment based on the most
recent information available and consistent with the regulations for
setting halibut PSC limits.
NMFS specifies the seasonal apportionments of the halibut PSC
limits in the annual groundfish harvest specifications based on the
following factors: (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 excepted catches of target
groundfish species; (4) expected variations in bycatch rates throughout
the fishing year; (5) expected changes in directed groundfish fishing
seasons; (6) expected start of fishing effort; and (7) economic effects
of establishing seasonal halibut allocations on segments of the target
groundfish industry (Sec. 679.21(d)(4)(ii)).
Per Sec. 679.21(d)(1)(iii), NMFS will consider public comment on
the proposed halibut PSC apportionments and after consulting with the
Council, will publish in the final specifications the final halibut PSC
apportionments. The Council did not recommend any modifications to the
halibut PSC seasonal apportionments. There were no exceedances for any
gear types or any seasonal apportionments for any halibut PSC category
in 2025. In October 20
[…truncated; see source link]Indexed from Federal Register on March 11, 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.