SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the GOA exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (FMP) prepared and recommended by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.

The 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA is 3,080 metric tons (mt) as established by the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for groundfish in the GOA (91 FR 11902, March 11, 2026) and reallocations (91 FR 64807, October 13, 2026 and 91 FR 66531, October 21, 2026). ( printed page 67529)

The Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator) has determined that the 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocated to vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA will be or has been reached. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(i) and 679.20(d)(1)(ii)(B), the Regional Administrator is establishing a directed fishing allowance of 2,480 mt and is setting aside 0 mt as incidental catch because it is not necessary to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. The Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will be or has been reached. Consequently, in accordance with § 679.20(d)(1)(iii), NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA to prevent exceeding this sector's annual allocation of Pacific cod TAC.

While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at § 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.

Classification

NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 679, which was issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest, as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data on Pacific cod catch in a timely fashion and would delay the closure of directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data on Pacific cod catch by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA only became available as of October 22, 2026.

There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to establish an effective date less than 30 days after the date of publication. This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

91 FR 67528