Rule2026-12108
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Extension of Emergency Action To Temporarily Increase 2026 Harvest Specifications and Sector Allocations for Shortspine Thornyhead, Canary Rockfish, and Petrale Sole
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Published
June 16, 2026
Effective
July 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
This temporary rule extends emergency measures that increase 2026 harvest specifications and sector allocations for shortspine thornyhead, canary rockfish, and petrale sole in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. This increase in harvest specifications is based on new, recently discovered information from the latest catch-only projections, which show a higher biomass of these species available for harvest than determined by stock assessments used to set the 2025-2026 harvest specifications and management measures. This action is necessary to alleviate significant direct economic loss caused by restrictive annual catch limits for these species.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36096-36099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-12108]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 660
[Docket No. 260116-0030]
RIN 0648-BO30
Fisheries Off West Coast States; Extension of Emergency Action To
Temporarily Increase 2026 Harvest Specifications and Sector Allocations
for Shortspine Thornyhead, Canary Rockfish, and Petrale Sole
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Temporary rule; extension of emergency action.
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SUMMARY: This temporary rule extends emergency measures that increase
2026 harvest specifications and sector allocations for shortspine
thornyhead, canary rockfish, and petrale sole in the Pacific Coast
groundfish fishery. This increase in harvest specifications is based on
new, recently discovered information from the latest catch-only
projections, which show a higher biomass of these species available for
harvest than determined by stock assessments used to set the 2025-2026
harvest specifications and management measures. This action is
necessary to alleviate significant direct economic loss caused by
restrictive annual catch limits for these species.
DATES: Effective July 20, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
ADDRESSES: A plain language summary of this emergency rule is available
at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2025-0900">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2025-0900</a>.
Electronic Access
This emergency rule is accessible via the internet at the Office of
the Federal Register website at <a href="https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/">https://ecfr.federalregister.gov/</a>. A
Supplemental Environmental Assessment that addresses National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements may be obtained from the
[[Page 36097]]
West Coast Groundfish Actions NEPA website at <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/laws-policies/groundfish-actions-nepa-documents">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/laws-policies/groundfish-actions-nepa-documents</a>. Additional background information is available at the
Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Council) website at <a href="http://www.pcouncil.org/groundfish/fishery-management-plan/groundfish-amendments-in-development/">http://www.pcouncil.org/groundfish/fishery-management-plan/groundfish-amendments-in-development/</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Meghan Roberts, 206-526-4048, or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b9d4dcded1d8d797cbd6dbdccbcdcaf9d7d6d8d897ded6cf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="90fdf5f7f8f1febee2fff2f5e2e4e3d0fefff1f1bef7ffe6">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Pacific Coast groundfish fishery in the
U.S. exclusive economic zone seaward of Washington, Oregon, and
California is managed under the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery
Management Plan (Groundfish FMP). The Council developed the Groundfish
FMP pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act; 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). The
Secretary of Commerce approved the Groundfish FMP and implemented the
provisions of the plan through federal regulations at 50 CFR part 660,
subparts C through G. The Groundfish FMP manages species of roundfish,
flatfish, rockfish, sharks, and skates.
On January 22, 2026, NMFS published an emergency rule (91 FR 2714)
that temporarily increases 2026 harvest specifications and sector
allocations for shortspine thornyhead, canary rockfish, and petrale
sole in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. A full description of the
issue can be found in the emergency rule (91 FR 2714, January 22,
2026). NMFS held a public comment period on the emergency rule for 30
days from January 21, 2026, to February 23, 2026, and received two non-
substantive comments. Without extension, the emergency rule would
expire on July 20, 2026.
Industry representatives provided testimony on the significant
economics constraints caused by the 2025 ACLs for shortspine
thornyhead, canary rockfish, and petrale sole at several Council
meetings in 2025 (see agenda item E.3.a, Supplemental GAP Report 1 from
June 2025 and agenda item G.8.a, Supplemental GAP Report 1 from
September 2025 at <a href="https://www.pcouncil.org/">https://www.pcouncil.org/</a> for detailed information on
species-specific constraints). This issue remains relevant throughout
the remainder of the 2025-2026 harvest specifications management cycle,
which ends this calendar year. The emergency motivating this action
will be permanently addressed by the Council's 2027-2028 groundfish
harvest specifications action, which, if approved by NMFS, would be
effective in January 2027. Therefore, consistent with section 305(c)(3)
of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS finds good cause to extend the
emergency measures until December 31, 2026.
Emergency Measures
In alignment with the Council's September 2025 recommendation, the
January 2026 emergency rule temporarily increased the 2026 overfishing
limit (OFL), acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual catch limit
(ACL), harvest guidelines (HG), tribal set-asides, and sector
allocations for shortspine thornyhead, canary rockfish, and petrale
sole, effective January 21, 2026. This temporary rule will extend these
increased harvest specifications through December 31, 2026. These
increased harvest specifications include the implementation of
alternative harvest control rules (HCRs) for canary rockfish and
shortspine thornyhead. For canary rockfish, this extension of the
emergency rule eliminates the buffer between the 2026 ABC and ACL that
is applied when the stock is in the precautionary zone (i.e., the ``40-
10'' rule \1\) and sets the ABC equal to the ACL. For shortspine
thornyhead, this rule implements a phase-in ABC control rule that
reduces the buffer between the OFL and ABC. Per the National Standard 1
guidelines (see 50 CFR 600.310(f)(2)(ii)(A)), Councils can develop and
recommend to NMFS ABC control rules that allow for changes in catch
limits to be phased in over time to help stabilize catch levels as
stock assessments are updated.
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\1\ The 40-10 HCR is applied when a stock's biomass falls below
the management target of 40 percent unfished biomass; the further
the stock's biomass is below the 40 percent threshold, the greater
the reduction in ACL relative to the ABC. When a stock's biomass
raises above the management target of 40 percent, the 40-10 rule
automatically no longer applies.
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Finally, this action would increase the off-the-top deductions from
ACLs for Tribal harvest; increase the set-aside for bycatch in the at-
sea Pacific whiting sectors, which is deducted from the trawl
allocation; and increase the non-trawl allocation for petrale sole,
until December 31, 2026. The new harvest specifications, Tribal set-
asides, and sector allocations are provided below in table 1. This
emergency rule will not change any other aspect of the 2025-2026
harvest specifications and management measures. For additional
explanation on the rationale and effects of this emergency rule
extension, see the original emergency rule published on January 22,
2026 (91 FR 2714).
Table 1--Revised 2026 Harvest Specifications, Tribal Set-Asides, and Allocations in Metric Tons
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Shorebased
Species OFL ABC ACL Tribal HG Trawl At-sea trawl Non-trawl
allocation allocation allocation
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Shortspine thornyhead.......................................... 970 902 897 54.4 820.6 582.6 76.3 506 238
Canary rockfish................................................ 673 626 626 54.7 558.4 403.7 21.9 382 154.7
Petrale sole................................................... 2,676 2,489 2,489 322.5 2,138 2,104.6 5.6 2,099 33.4
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Classification
NMFS is issuing an extension of this emergency rule pursuant to
section 305(3)(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The NMFS Assistant
Administrator has determined that this emergency rule is consistent
with the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP, section 305(c) and other
provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the Administrative Procedure
Act (APA), and other applicable law. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B),
the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries finds prior notice and public
comment is not required because it would be impracticable and contrary
to the public interest. The reasons justifying promulgation of this
rule on an emergency basis, coupled with the fact that the public had
the opportunity to comment on the original emergency rule, make
solicitation of additional comment unnecessary, impractical, and
contrary to the public interest. This rule must be in place before the
expiration of the original emergency rule to avoid immediate,
significant adverse economic impacts to fishery participants and
fishing communities.
[[Page 36098]]
The new, increased harvest specifications and alternative HCRs are not
expected to present conservation concerns in the fishery, as they are
informed by new best scientific information available, which indicates
that there is a higher biomass of all three species available for
harvest than was projected in the 2023 stock assessments used to set
2025-2026 harvest specifications and which the Council's Scientific and
Statistical Committee has deemed sufficient to support the new catch
limits. For the reasons outlined above, NMFS finds it impracticable and
contrary to the public interest to provide prior notice and public
comment on these emergency measures.
Additionally, this rule is excepted from the 30-day delayed
effectiveness provision of the APA under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1) because it
removes a restriction in the form of the pre-existing, restrictive 2026
shortspine thornyhead, canary rockfish, and petrale sole
specifications.
This action is being taken pursuant to the emergency provision of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is exempt from Office of Management and
Budget review.
This emergency rule is exempt from Executive Order 14192 because it
is a routine fishing action.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply to this emergency
rule because prior notice and opportunity for public comment is not
required.
This emergency/interim rule contains no information collection
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 660
Fisheries, Fishing, Fishing vessels.
Dated: June 9, 2026.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
For the reasons set out in the preamble, NMFS amends 50 CFR part
660 as follows:
PART 660--FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES
0
1. The authority citation for part 660 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq., 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq., and
16 U.S.C 7001 et seq.
0
2. In Sec. 660.50, revise paragraphs (f)(4), (18), and (21) to read as
follows:
Sec. 660.50 Pacific Coast treaty Indian fisheries.
* * * * *
(f) * * *
(4) Canary rockfish. The Tribal harvest guideline is 54.7 mt per
year.
* * * * *
(18) Petrale sole. The Tribal harvest guideline is 322.5 mt per
year.
* * * * *
(21) Thornyheads. The Tribal harvest guideline for shortspine
thornyhead is 54.4 mt per year and the Tribal harvest guideline for
longspine thornyhead is 30 mt per year.
* * * * *
0
3. In tables 2a and 2b to part 660, subpart C, revise the entries for
``Canary Rockfish'', ``Petrale Sole'', and ``Shortspine Thornyhead'' to
read as follows:
* * * * *
Table 2a to Part 660, Subpart C--2026, and Beyond, Specifications of OFL, ABC, ACL, ACT, and Fishery HG (Weights in Metric Tons). Capitalized Stocks are
Rebuilding
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Species/stock Area OFL ABC ACL \a\ Fishery HG \b\
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* * * * * * *
Canary Rockfish............................... Coastwide............................... 673 626 626 558.4
* * * * * * *
Petrale Sole.................................. Coastwide............................... 2,676 2,489 2,489 2,138
* * * * * * *
Shortspine Thornyhead \e\..................... Coastwide............................... 970 902 897 820.6
* * * * * * *
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\a\ Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs) and harvest guidelines (HGs) are specified as total catch values.
\b\ Fishery HGs means the HG or quota after subtracting Pacific Coast treaty Indian Tribes allocations and projected catch, projected research catch,
deductions for fishing mortality in non-groundfish fisheries, and deductions for EFPs from the ACL or ACT. These deductions, as well as any HG sharing
agreements between states and/or sectors, are published in the SAFE.
\3\ * * * * * * *
\e\ Shortspine thornyhead has a commercial ACT of 55 mt for north of 34[deg] 27' N lat.
* * * * *
Table 2b to Part 660, Subpart C--2026, and Beyond, Allocations by Species or Species Group
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Trawl Non-trawl
Species/stock & complexes Area Fishery HG ---------------------------------------------------
or ACT % mt % mt
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* * * * * * *
Canary rockfish.............................. Coastwide............................... 558.4 72.3 403.7 27.7 154.7
[[Page 36099]]
* * * * * * *
Petrale sole................................. Coastwide............................... 2,138 ........... 2,104.6 ........... 33.4
* * * * * * *
Shortspine thornyhead........................ Coastwide............................... 820.6 71 582.6 29 238
* * * * * * *
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* * * * *
0
4. In Sec. 660.140, in table 1 to paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(D), revise the
entries for ``Canary rockfish'', ``Petrale sole'', and ``Shortspine
thornyhead'' to read as follows:
Sec. 660.140 Shorebased IFQ Program.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) * * *
(D) * * *
Table 1d to Paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(D)--Shorebased Trawl Allocations for 2025 and 2026
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2025 shorebased 2026 shorebased
IFQ species Area trawl allocation trawl allocation
(mt) (mt)
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* * * * * * *
Canary rockfish........................... Coastwide................... 348 382
* * * * * * *
Petrale sole.............................. Coastwide................... 2,001 2,099
* * * * * * *
Shortspine thornyhead..................... Coastwide................... 406 506
* * * * * * *
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* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2026-12108 Filed 6-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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