Federal Register #2026-05858

This announcement details the opening of the sablefish fishing season in Alaska, managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under NOAA and the U.S. Department of Commerce. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce - Program Details: - Opening of directed fishing for sablefish with fixed gear in the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska - Managed under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program and Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program - Season dates are coordinated with the commercial halibut fishery as set by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), though opening and closing hours differ - Purpose is to align sablefish and halibut fisheries to reduce bycatch and regulatory discards - No OEMs, vendors, or procurement of products/services are involved; this is a regulatory action, not a purchasing opportunity - No unique technical or product requirements are specified

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is opening directed fishing for sablefish with fixed gear managed under the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Program and the Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program. The fishing season will open at 1200 hours Alaska local time on March 26, 2026, and close at 1200 hours on December 7, 2026. These dates align with the 2026 commercial halibut fishery dates adopted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, though the opening and closing hours differ. The rule aims to coordinate sablefish and halibut fisheries to reduce bycatch and regulatory discards.