Pollock Fishing Closure, Gulf of Alaska, Statistical Area 630

Content

ACTION:

Temporary rule; closure.

SUMMARY:

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 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 630 in
the GOA.

DATES:

Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), April 8, 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 pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA is 12,314 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 630 of the GOA will soon be or has been
reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 12,114 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 has been or will be reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting
directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the GOA to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of pollock TAC
in Statistical Area 630 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 in
the A season for pollock in Statistical Area 630 in the GOA, which could result in an exceedance of the A season allowance
of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 630. 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 April 7, 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 8, 2026. David R. Blankinship, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2026-06995 Filed 4-8-26; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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