Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

Issuing agencies

Abstract

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 206 (Tuesday, October 27, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 27, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67528-67529]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21888]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 679

[Docket No. 260305-0067; RTID 0648-XG008]


Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod 
by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Western 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 directed fishing for Pacific cod by 
vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of 
Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 
total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using 
pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

DATES: Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 23, 
2026, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zaleski, 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 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels using pot gear in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 3,080 metric tons (mt) as 
established by the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for 
groundfish in the GOA (91 FR 11902, March 11, 2026) and reallocations 
(91 FR 64807, October 13, 2026 and 91 FR 66531, October 21, 2026).

[[Page 67529]]

    The Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator) has determined that the 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated 
to vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA 
will be or has been reached. Therefore, in accordance with Sec.  
679.20(d)(1)(i) and 679.20(d)(1)(ii)(B), the Regional Administrator is 
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,480 mt and is setting 
aside 0 mt as incidental catch because it is not necessary to support 
other anticipated groundfish fisheries. The Regional Administrator 
finds that this directed fishing allowance will be or has been reached. 
Consequently, in accordance with Sec.  679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is 
prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear 
in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA to prevent exceeding this 
sector's annual allocation of Pacific cod TAC.
    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 Pacific cod catch in a timely fashion and would delay the 
closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear 
in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a 
notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, 
relevant data on Pacific cod catch by vessels using pot gear in the 
Western Regulatory Area of the GOA only became available as of October 
22, 2026.
    There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to establish an 
effective date less than 30 days after the 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 23, 2026.
Shannon Bettridge,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-21888 Filed 10-23-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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