Temporary Rule; Pacific Cod Directed Fishing Closure, Gulf of Alaska

Content

ACTION:

Temporary rule; closure.

SUMMARY:

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

DATES:

Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 7, 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 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory
Area of the GOA is 5,233 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), the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined
that the A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory
Area of the GOA will be or has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance
of 4,483 mt and is setting aside the remaining 750 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 Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the
Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to prevent exceeding the sector's A season allowance of Pacific cod TAC.

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 Pacific cod catch in a timely fashion and would delay the closure of directed fishing
for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the A season in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA, which could
result in this sector exceeding its A season allowance of Pacific cod TAC. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time
for public comment because the most recent, relevant data on Pacific cod catch only became available as of April 6, 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 6, 2026. David R. Blankinship, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2026-06796 Filed 4-7-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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