Rule2026-06425
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod 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 2, 2026
Effective
April 2, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) from vessels using jig gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) management area. This action is necessary to allow the A season allowance of the 2026 TAC of Pacific cod to be harvested.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 16583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06425]
[[Page 16583]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 260305-0066; RTID 0648-XF600]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation
of Pacific Cod 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; reallocation.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of Pacific
cod total allowable catch (TAC) from vessels using jig gear to catcher
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using
hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI)
management area. This action is necessary to allow the A season
allowance of the 2026 TAC of Pacific cod to be harvested.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 2, 2026,
through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Olson, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the
Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared and
recommended by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S.
vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part
600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC specified for
vessels using jig gear in the BSAI is 990 metric tons (mt) as
established by the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (91 FR 11750, March 10, 2026).
The 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels less than 60
feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is 2,342
mt as established by the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI (91 FR 11750, March 10, 2026).
The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has
determined that jig vessels will not be able to harvest 930 mt of the A
season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels
under Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(ii)(A)(1). The Regional Administrator has also
determined that catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using
hook-and-line or pot gear have the capability to harvest additional
Pacific cod TAC.
Therefore, in accordance with and as required by Sec.
679.20(a)(7)(iv)(C), NMFS reallocates 930 mt of Pacific cod from the
jig gear A season allowance to the annual amount specified for catcher
vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear.
The harvest specifications for 2026 Pacific cod included in final
2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (91 FR
11750, March 10, 2026) are revised as follows: 60 mt to the A season
and 721 mt to the annual amount for vessels using jig gear, and 3,272
mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-
line or pot gear.
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 in a timely fashion and would not allow for the full harvest by
the sectors with harvesting capability of the 2026 Pacific cod TACs
established by the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for
groundfish in the BSAI, which were published on March 10, 2026 and
effective on March 18, 2026 (91 FR 11750). NMFS was unable to publish a
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent,
relevant data only became available as of March 10, 2026.
There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day
delay in the effective date of this action. 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 31, 2026.
David R. Blankinship,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-06425 Filed 4-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 2, 2026.
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