Rule2026-06267
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Pot Catcher/Processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 1, 2026
Effective
March 30, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06267]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 260305-0066; RTID 0648-XF424]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Pot Catcher/Processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
Management Area
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by
catcher/processors using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent
exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher/processors using pot gear in
the BSAI.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 30,
2026, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Olson, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
(FMP) prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part
600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated to
catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI is 896 metric tons as
established by the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (91 FR 11750, March 10, 2026).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional
Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS has determined that the A season
allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a directed fishing
allowance to catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI will be or
has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing
for Pacific cod by pot catcher/processors in the BSAI to prevent
exceeding this sector's A season allowance of Pacific cod TAC.
While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at
Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
Classification
NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 679, which was
issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice
and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest,
as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries
data on Pacific cod catch in a timely fashion and would delay the
closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using
pot gear in the A season in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as of March 27, 2026.
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to establish an
effective date less than 30 days after date of publication. This
finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior
notice and opportunity for public comment.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: March 27, 2026.
David R. Blankinship,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-06267 Filed 3-30-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 1, 2026.
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