Plan
NMFS Closes Pacific Ocean Perch Incidental Catch in Central Gulf of Alaska
NOAA Fisheries is prohibiting retention of Pacific Ocean perch under the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska after the 2026 quota was determined to have been reached.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a temporary closure rule, effective 1200 hours Alaska local time on October 14, 2026, through 2400 hours Alaska local time on December 31, 2026, prohibiting the retention of Pacific Ocean perch under the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). The closure applies to all vessels except those checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program who are fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit.
The rule is triggered by a finding from the Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, that the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific Ocean perch apportioned as the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA — established at 2,800 metric tons by the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (91 FR 11902, March 11, 2026) — will soon be or has already been reached. The document states the action is necessary to prevent exceeding that apportioned TAC.
Under the terms of the closure, Pacific Ocean perch caught in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA must be treated in the same manner as a prohibited species, as described under 50 CFR § 679.21(a), for the remainder of the year. The rule notes two exceptions: Pacific Ocean perch caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described in § 679.20(j), and Pacific Ocean perch caught by catcher vessels using trawl gear participating in the electronic monitoring program as described in § 679.21(a)(2). While the prohibition is in effect, the requirements of § 679.20(j)(4) apply.
NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fishery according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA, prepared and recommended by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the plan appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The agency waived the standard prior notice-and-comment period, citing good cause under 5 U.S.C. § 553(b)(B), on the grounds that 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. The document states that the most recent, relevant data on total catch of Pacific Ocean perch in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA only became available as of October 13, 2026. For the same reasons, NMFS also established an effective date of less than 30 days after publication, invoking good cause under 5 U.S.C. § 553(d)(3). The action was issued pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
What to watch
The closure runs through 2400 hours Alaska local time on December 31, 2026, at which point the 2026 fishing year concludes. Operators not enrolled in the Central GOA Rockfish Program with a rockfish cooperative quota permit should note that Pacific Ocean perch retention under the incidental catch allowance is prohibited for the duration of this period.
Related
Sources
15 citedEvery hard fact above is grounded in and cited to a primary source record.
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The closure is effective 1200 hours Alaska local time on October 14, 2026, through 2400 hours Alaska local time on December 31, 2026.
federalregister.gov -
The closure prohibits retention of Pacific Ocean perch under the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska.
federalregister.gov -
The closure applies to all vessels except those checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program who are fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit.
federalregister.gov -
The 2026 TAC of Pacific Ocean perch apportioned as the incidental catch allowance in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA is 2,800 metric tons.
federalregister.gov -
The 2,800 metric ton TAC was established by the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for groundfish of the GOA (91 FR 11902, March 11, 2026).
federalregister.gov -
The Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS determined that the 2026 TAC will soon be or has been reached.
federalregister.gov -
Pacific Ocean perch caught in the Central Regulatory Area must be treated in the same manner as a prohibited species as described under 50 CFR § 679.21(a).
federalregister.gov -
Exceptions apply for Pacific Ocean perch caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described in § 679.20(j).
federalregister.gov -
Exceptions also apply for Pacific Ocean perch caught by catcher vessels using trawl gear participating in the electronic monitoring program as described in § 679.21(a)(2).
federalregister.gov -
While the prohibition is effective, the requirements of § 679.20(j)(4) apply.
federalregister.gov -
Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
federalregister.gov -
NMFS waived prior notice and comment under 5 U.S.C. § 553(b)(B), stating that the most recent, relevant data on total catch only became available as of October 13, 2026.
federalregister.gov -
NMFS established an effective date of less than 30 days after publication, invoking good cause under 5 U.S.C. § 553(d)(3).
federalregister.gov -
The action was issued pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
federalregister.gov -
NMFS manages the GOA groundfish fishery according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the GOA, prepared and recommended by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
federalregister.gov