Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

Issuing agencies

Abstract

NMFS is prohibiting retention of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific Ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) except by vessels checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program who are fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit. This action is necessary because the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned as the incidental catch allowance for Pacific Ocean perch in the Central GOA will soon be or has been reached.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 198 (Thursday, October 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 198 (Thursday, October 15, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 65474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21106]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 260305-0067; RTID 0648-XG092]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific 
Ocean Perch in the Central Regulatory Area of 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 retention of the incidental catch 
allowance for Pacific Ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the 
Gulf of Alaska (GOA) except by vessels checked-in to the Central GOA 
Rockfish Program who are fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota 
permit. This action is necessary because the 2026 total allowable catch 
(TAC) apportioned as the incidental catch allowance for Pacific Ocean 
perch in the Central GOA will soon be or has been reached.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 14, 
2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 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 GOA (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 2026 Pacific Ocean perch TAC apportioned as the incidental 
catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA for vessels 
other than vessels checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program who 
are fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit is 2,800 metric 
tons as established by the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications 
for groundfish of the GOA (91 FR 11902, March 11, 2026).
    The Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator) has determined that the 2026 TAC of Pacific Ocean perch 
apportioned as the incidental catch allowance for vessels other than 
vessels checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program who are fishing 
with a rockfish cooperative quota permit will soon be or has been 
reached. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(2), NMFS is 
prohibiting retention of the incidental catch allowance for Pacific 
Ocean perch for vessels in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA other 
than vessels checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program who are 
fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit and requiring that 
Pacific ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA be 
treated in the same manner as a prohibited species, as described under 
Sec.  679.21(a), for the remainder of the year, except for Pacific 
Ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA caught by catcher 
vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described in Sec.  
679.20(j), or caught by catcher vessels using trawl gear participating 
in the electronic monitoring program as described in Sec.  
679.21(a)(2). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 
Pacific Ocean perch TAC apportioned as the incidental catch allowance 
in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. This action does not apply 
to vessels checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program who are 
fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit. While this 
prohibition is effective the requirements of Sec.  679.20(j)(4) apply.

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 prohibiting the retention of 
Pacific Ocean perch apportioned as the incidental catch allowance in 
the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a 
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, 
relevant data on the total catch of Pacific Ocean perch in the Central 
Regulatory Area of the GOA only became available as of October 13, 
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: October 13, 2026.
Shannon Bettridge,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-21106 Filed 10-14-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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