Federal Register #2026-21184

NOAA restricts shortraker rockfish retention in the Central Gulf of Alaska

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service has temporarily restricted shortraker rockfish retention in part of the Gulf of Alaska. - Government agency: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). - Action: Most vessels may not retain shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska because the applicable 2026 total allowable catch of 113 metric tons has been or is expected to be reached. - Exception: Qualifying catcher/processors checked into the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program and fishing under a rockfish cooperative quota permit are not subject to the general restriction. The notice also addresses certain catcher-vessel catch based on gear or participation in the electronic monitoring program. - Procurement relevance: This is a fisheries regulation, not a procurement opportunity. No products, services, OEMs, or vendors are identified.

Description

NMFS prohibits retention of shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, except by catcher/processors checked in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program and fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit. The action applies because the 2026 total allowable catch for other vessels in the area will soon be or has been reached. The effective period runs from 1200 hours Alaska local time on October 14, 2026, through 2400 hours Alaska local time on December 31, 2026.

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