Proposed Rules. Temporary rule; modification of a closure; request for comments

Agency: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce
Action: Temporary rule; modification of a closure; request for comments
Citation: FR Doc. 2025-19366 · Docket No. 250312-0037; RTID 0648-XF263 · 50 CFR 679

Summary

NMFS is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to fully use the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

Dates

Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 3, 2025, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2025. Comments must be received at the following address no later than 4:30 p.m., A.l.t., October 17, 2025.

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. NMFS closed directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA on September 1, 2025 (90 FR 42337, September 2, 2025). NMFS has determined that as of September 22, 2025, approximately 2,693 metric tons of Pacific cod remain in the 2025 Pacific cod apportionment for catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. Therefore, in accordance with § 679.25(a)(1)(i), (a)(2)(i)(C), and (a)(2)(iii)(D), and to fully use the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA, NMFS is terminating the previous closure and is opening directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA. The Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, (Regional Administrator) considered the following factors in reaching this decision: (1) the current catch of Pacific cod, including by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA, (2) the harvest capacity and stated intent on future harvesting patterns of vessels participating in this fishery, and (3) the remaining Pacific cod TAC available to harvest in the fishing year 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 in a timely fashion and would delay the opening of directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central 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 catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA only became available as of September 22, 2025. There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action. This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. Without this inseason adjustment, NMFS could not allow the fishery for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA to be harvested in an expedient manner. Under § 679.25(c)(2), interested persons are invited to submit written comments on this action to the above address until October 17, 2025. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: September 30, 2025. Kelly Denit, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2025-19366 Filed 9-30-25; 4:15 pm]