Rule2026-06514
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 3, 2026
Effective
April 1, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 620 in the GOA.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 64 (Friday, April 3, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 64 (Friday, April 3, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16842-16843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06514]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 260305-0067; RTID 0648-XF463]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in
Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in
Statistical Area 620 in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is
necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 total
allowable catch (TAC) of pollock for Statistical Area 620 in the GOA.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 1, 2026,
through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Abby Jahn, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared and recommended by
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in
accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50
CFR part 679.
The A season allowance of the 2026 TAC of pollock in Statistical
Area 620 of the GOA is 46,510 metric tons (mt) as established by the
final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA
(91 FR 11902, March 11, 2026).
In accordance with Sec. Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i) and
679.20(d)(1)(ii)(B), the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS
(Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2026 A season
allowance of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA will be or
has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing
a directed fishing allowance of 46,310 mt and is setting aside the
remaining 200 mt as incidental catch to support other anticipated
groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the
Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will
be or has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed
fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the GOA to prevent
exceeding the A season allowance of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620
of the GOA.
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 pollock catch in a timely fashion and would delay the closure
of directed fishing for pollock in the A season in Statistical Area 620
in the GOA, which could result in an exceedance of the A season
allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 620. NMFS was unable
to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most
recent, relevant data on pollock catch only became available as of
March 31, 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
[[Page 16843]]
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: April 1, 2026.
David R. Blankinship,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-06514 Filed 4-1-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 3, 2026.
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