Federal Register #2026-17616

Regulatory reallocation of Pacific cod quotas and fishing restrictions in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

This opportunity concerns regulatory actions by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, affecting fisheries management in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI). - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Department of Commerce - Sub-agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Office: Office of Sustainable Fisheries - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved, as this is a regulatory action, not a procurement. - Products/Services Requested: - Pacific cod allocation: 422 units for catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI - No part numbers or commercial products/services are specified - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Reallocation of unused Pacific cod quotas from larger vessels to smaller catcher vessels - Opening of directed fishing for Pacific cod by eligible smaller vessels - Prohibition of directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Aleutian district by trawl limited access sector vessels to prevent exceeding the 2026 TAC - Actions governed by 50 CFR Part 679, impacting fisheries management and quota distribution - No procurement, contract, or purchase activity is involved; this is a regulatory management action.

Description

This temporary rule reallocates the projected unused amounts of Pacific cod from vessels using jig gear and catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet length overall using hook-and-line gear to catcher vessels less than 60 feet length overall using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). The action is necessary to allow the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod to be harvested. Directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI is opened from September 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Comments on this action must be received by September 14, 2026.

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