Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska: Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Bering Sea Subarea of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (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 2025 Pacific Ocean perch TAC in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI is 10,121 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (90 FR 12640, March 18, 2025) and reapportionment of reserves (90 FR 27483, June 27, 2025).

In accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator has determined that the 2025 TAC for Pacific Ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI will be or has been reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 10,111 mt, and is setting aside the remaining 10 mt as incidental catch because it is necessary to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific Ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of the BSAI to prevent exceeding this sectors allowance of Pacific Ocean perch TAC.

While this closure remains in effect 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 in a timely fashion and would delay the closure of Pacific Ocean perch in the Bering Sea subarea of 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 December 2, 2025.

There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action. This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment.