Rule2026-18391
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Aleutian District of 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
September 9, 2026
Effective
September 4, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Western Aleutian district (WAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean perch in the WAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 57274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18391]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 260305-0066, RTID 0648-XG028]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific
Ocean Perch in the Western Aleutian District of 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 ocean perch
in the Western Aleutian district (WAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian
Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI
trawl limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to
prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific ocean
perch in the WAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl
limited access sector fishery.
DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 4,
2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Whitney, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan
(FMP) for Groundfish of the BSAI 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 2026 TAC of Pacific ocean perch, in the WAI, allocated to
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery
was established as a directed fishing allowance of 214 metric tons 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 this directed
fishing allowance has been or will be reached. Consequently, NMFS is
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the WAI by
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery
to prevent exceeding this sector's allocation of Pacific ocean perch in
the WAI. 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 in a timely fashion and would delay the closure of the Pacific
ocean perch directed fishing in the WAI for vessels participating in
the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. NMFS was unable to
publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most
recent, relevant data on Pacific ocean perch harvest in the WAI for
vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector only
became available as of September 3, 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: September 4, 2026.
Shannon Bettridge,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-18391 Filed 9-4-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 9, 2026.
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