Federal Register #2026-20125

Proposed Alaska fishing permit for Pacific halibut retention and donation

NOAA is seeking public input on a proposed permit to retain and donate Pacific halibut from an Alaska fishery. - Government buyer: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Region. - Applicants: SeaShare, Inc. and Glacier Fish Co. - Proposal: Authorize one trawl catcher/processor vessel in the Bering Sea trawl limited access yellowfin sole fishery to retain, process, and donate up to 5,000 net pounds of headed-and-gutted Pacific halibut, equivalent to 3.0 metric tons round weight, through the Prohibited Species Donation Program. - Requested exemptions: The application seeks exceptions to rules prohibiting retention of prohibited-species catch and participation by a catcher/processor vessel in the donation program. - Requirements that remain: Halibut catch limits, deck sorting, fisheries-observer sampling, catch monitoring, and catch accounting requirements would continue to apply. The permit would also require a final report on outcomes, including amounts retained and donated, within six months after fishing ends. - Opportunity status: This is a permit application and public-comment notice, not a purchase of products or services.

Description

NMFS received an exempted fishing permit application from SeaShare, Inc. and Glacier Fish Co. for one trawl catcher/processor vessel in the Bering Sea yellowfin sole fishery. The permit would allow the vessel to retain up to 5,000 net pounds of headed and gutted Pacific halibut (3.0 metric tons round weight equivalent) after deck sorting and observer sampling, and donate it through the Prohibited Species Donation Program for hunger relief. The application requests exemptions from regulations prohibiting retention of prohibited species catch and participation of a catcher/processor vessel in the donation program; existing halibut catch limits, deck-sorting requirements, and catch monitoring and accounting would remain in effect. The proposed permit period is May 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028, and public comments are due October 16, 2026.

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