Final rule · 2026-21184

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker Rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

NMFS is prohibiting retention of shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) except by catcher/ processors checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program who are fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit. This action is necessary because the 2026 shortraker rockfish total allowable catch (TAC) in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA for vessels other than Central GOA Rockfish Program catcher/processors will soon be or has been reached.