Pacific Cod Pot Catcher-Processor Directed Fishing Closure

Regs.gov: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Published March 30th, 2026

Detected April 1st, 2026

Summary

NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) from March 30 through September 1, 2026. The closure prevents exceeding the A season allowance of 896 metric tons of the 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to this sector. The action was taken under Magnuson-Stevens Act authority pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii).

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What changed

NMFS has prohibited directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI management area, effective 1200 hours Alaska local time on March 30, 2026, through 1200 hours A.l.t. September 1, 2026. The closure was triggered because the A season allowance of 896 metric tons established for this sector under the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications (91 FR 11750) will be or has been reached. While the closure is in effect, maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply to any trip.

Catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI must immediately cease directed fishing for Pacific cod when this rule takes effect on March 30, 2026. These vessels may still retain Pacific cod up to the maximum retainable amounts during trips, but cannot target or land Pacific cod as a directed fishery. The closure is based on the most recent catch data available as of March 27, 2026, and was issued without prior notice and comment due to impracticability under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B).

What to do next

Cease directed fishing for Pacific cod by pot catcher/processors in the BSAI effective March 30, 2026 at 1200 hours A.l.t.
Ensure compliance with maximum retainable amounts under 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) during any fishing trip while the closure is in effect.
Monitor NMFS Alaska Region announcements for potential reopening if TAC conditions change.

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Temporary rule; closure.

SUMMARY:

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod total
allowable catch (TAC) allocated to catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI.

DATES:

Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), March 30, 2026, through 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew Olson, 907-586-7228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish
of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared 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/processors using pot gear in the BSAI is 896 metric
tons as established by the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (91 FR 11750, March 10, 2026).

In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS has determined that the A season allowance
of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated as a directed fishing allowance to catcher/processors using pot gear in the BSAI will
be or has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by pot catcher/processors in the
BSAI to prevent exceeding this 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/processors using pot gear in the A season in the BSAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing
time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data only became available as of March 27, 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: March 27, 2026. David R. Blankinship, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2026-06267 Filed 3-30-26; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P