Gulf of Alaska Pollock Fishery Closure Area 620

Regs.gov: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Published April 1st, 2026

Detected April 4th, 2026

Summary

NMFS has closed directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska effective April 1, 2026. The closure prevents exceeding the A season 2026 total allowable catch of 46,510 metric tons, with 46,310 mt allocated as directed fishing allowance and 200 mt reserved for incidental catch. The closure remains in effect through 1200 hours Alaska local time on September 1, 2026.

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What changed

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska effective 1200 hours Alaska local time on April 1, 2026. The action establishes a directed fishing allowance of 46,310 mt with 200 mt set aside for incidental catch in other groundfish fisheries, as required under 50 CFR 679.20(d)(1). The closure is authorized under section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is exempt from prior notice and public comment requirements under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) due to the timeliness of recent catch data.

Vessel operators engaged in directed pollock fishing in Statistical Area 620 must immediately cease such operations. While the closure is in effect, the maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply to any trips in progress. Incidental catch of pollock is permitted up to the 200 mt setaside to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. This closure will remain in place until 1200 hours Alaska local time on September 1, 2026, or until further notice.

What to do next

Cease all directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 620 of the Gulf of Alaska immediately
Comply with maximum retainable amounts under 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) for any pollock catch during the closure period
Ensure incidental catch of pollock does not exceed the 200 mt setaside allocated for other groundfish fisheries

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Temporary rule; closure.

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 §§ 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 § 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 § 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

  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