Federal Register #2026-10101

Temporary Closure of Pacific Cod Fishery for Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in Central Gulf of Alaska

This notice announces a temporary regulatory action by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) affecting the Pacific cod fishery in the Central Gulf of Alaska: - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce - Action Details: - Temporary closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-line (HAL) gear - Applies to the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska - Purpose is to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) - TAC for this sector: 850 metric tons (840 mt for directed fishing, 10 mt for incidental catch) - No OEMs or vendors are involved, as this is a regulatory closure, not a procurement - No products or services are being requested - Notable Requirements: - Closure is mandated under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska - Supports sustainable fishery management and resource conservation

Description

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to this sector. The closure is effective from May 18, 2026, through September 1, 2026. This temporary rule aims to manage the fishery sustainably under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska.

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