Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the Gulf of Alaska

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 A season allowance of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA is 4,109 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 (ii)(B), the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2026 A season allowance of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 of the GOA will be or has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 3,959 mt and is setting aside the remaining 150 mt as incidental catch because it is necessary 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 610 of the GOA to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610 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 A season closure of directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 610 in the GOA, which could result in an exceedance of the A season allowance of the pollock TAC in Statistical Area 610. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data about pollock catch only became available as of April 16, 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.