94680 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 230 / Friday, November 29, 2024 / Proposed Rules 

* * * * * 

Madonna Baucum, 

Regulations and Policy Chief, Division of 

Policy, Economics, Risk Management, and 

Analytics of the Joint Administrative 

Operations, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–27767 Filed 11–27–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4333–15–C 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

50 CFR Part 679 

[Docket No. 241121–0299; RTID 0648– 

XE336] 

Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic 

Zone Off Alaska; Gulf of Alaska; 

Proposed 2025 and 2026 Harvest 

Specifications for Groundfish 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Proposed rule; harvest 

specifications and request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: NMFS proposes 2025 and 

2026 harvest specifications, 

apportionments, and Pacific halibut 

prohibited species catch (PSC) limits for 

the groundfish fisheries of the Gulf of 

Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary 

to establish harvest limits for groundfish 

during the 2025 and 2026 fishing years 

and to accomplish the goals and 

objectives of the Fishery Management 

Plan for Groundfish of the GOA (FMP). 

The 2025 harvest specifications 

supersede those previously set in the 

final 2024 and 2025 harvest 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 230 / Friday, November 29, 2024 / Proposed Rules 94681 

specifications, and the 2026 harvest 

specifications will be superseded in 

early 2026 when the final 2026 and 

2027 harvest specifications are 

published. The intended effect of this 

action is to conserve and manage the 

groundfish resources in the GOA in 

accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). 

DATES: Comments must be received by 

December 30, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

on this document, identified by NOAA– 

NMFS–2024–0124 by any of the 

following methods: 

• Electronic Submission: Submit all 

electronic public comments via the 

Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov and enter 

NOAA–NMFS–2024–0124 in the Search 

box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, 

complete the required fields, and enter 

or attach your comments. 

• Mail: Submit written comments to 

Gretchen Harrington, Assistant Regional 

Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries 

Division, Alaska Region NMFS. Mail 

comments to P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, 

AK 99802–1668. 

Instructions: Comments sent by any 

other method, to any other address or 

individual, or received after the end of 

the comment period may not be 

considered by NMFS. All comments 

received are a part of the public record 

and will generally be posted for public 

viewing on https://www.regulations.gov 

without change. All personal identifying 

information (e.g., name, address, etc.), 

confidential business information, or 

otherwise sensitive information 

submitted voluntarily by the sender will 

be publicly accessible. NMFS will 

accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/ 

A’’ in the required fields if you wish to 

remain anonymous). 

Electronic copies of the Alaska 

Groundfish Harvest Specifications Final 

Environmental Impact Statement (Final 

EIS), Record of Decision (ROD) for the 

Final EIS, and the annual 

Supplementary Information Reports 

(SIR) to the Final EIS prepared for this 

action are available from https://

www.regulations.gov. An updated 2025 

SIR for the final 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications will be available from the 

same source. The final 2023 Stock 

Assessment and Fishery Evaluation 

(SAFE) report for the groundfish 

resources of the GOA, dated December 

2023, is available from the North Pacific 

Fishery Management Council (Council) 

at 1007 West Third, Suite 400, 

Anchorage, AK 99501–2252, phone 

907–271–2809, or from the NMFS 

website at https://

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/ 

population-assessments/north-pacificgroundfish-stock-assessments-andfishery-evaluation. The 2024 SAFE 

report for the GOA will be available 

from the same sources. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Abby Jahn, 907–586–7228. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS 

manages the GOA groundfish fisheries 

in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 

the GOA under the FMP. The Council 

prepared and NMFS approved the FMP 

under the authority of the MagnusonStevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.). 

Regulations governing U.S. fisheries and 

implementing the FMP appear at 50 

CFR parts 600, 679, and 680. 

The FMP and its implementing 

regulations require that NMFS, after 

consultation with the Council, specify 

the total allowable catch (TAC) for each 

target species, the sum of which must be 

within the optimum yield (OY) range of 

116,000 to 800,000 metric tons (mt) 

(§ 679.20(a)(1)(i)(B) and 679.20(a)(2)). 

Section 679.20(c)(1) further requires 

NMFS to publish and solicit public 

comment on proposed annual TACs and 

apportionments thereof for each target 

species, Pacific halibut PSC limits, and 

seasonal allowances of pollock and 

Pacific cod. The proposed harvest 

specifications in tables 1 through 19 of 

this rule satisfy these requirements. For 

2025 and 2026, the sum of the proposed 

TAC amounts is 482,000 mt. 

Under § 679.20(c)(3), NMFS will 

publish the final 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications after (1) considering 

comments received within the comment 

period (see DATES), (2) consulting with 

the Council at its December 2024 

meeting, (3) considering information 

presented in the 2025 SIR to the Final 

EIS that assesses the need to prepare a 

Supplemental EIS (see ADDRESSES), and 

(4) considering information presented in 

the final 2024 SAFE report, including 

the 2024 Ecosystem Status Report (ESR) 

for the GOA. 

Other Actions Potentially Affecting the 

2025 and 2026 GOA Harvest 

Specifications 

The Alaska Board of Fisheries (BOF) 

is considering five proposals for 

management of fishing in State waters 

that if adopted could potentially affect 

the GOA groundfish harvest 

specifications for 2025 and 2026. The 

BOF will not take action on these 

proposals until after the December 2024 

Council meeting. 

Proposal 8, if adopted by the BOF, 

would increase the Prince William 

Sound (PWS) Pacific cod fishery 

guideline harvest level (GHL) from 25 

percent to a minimum of 35 percent and 

a maximum of 50 percent of the 

acceptable biological catch (ABC) for the 

Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA. 

The final 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications would have to account for 

this increase in the GHL when 

specifying the Pacific cod TAC for the 

Eastern Regulatory Area to ensure that 

the sum of all State waters and Federal 

waters Pacific cod removals from the 

GOA do not exceed ABC 

recommendations. Proposal 13, if 

adopted, allows for 100 percent 

retention of longnose and big skate in 

the PWS Pacific cod and Pacific halibut 

fisheries until 25 percent of the TAC for 

the Eastern Regulatory Area is reached. 

The final 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications would need to account for 

this change when specifying TACs for 

longnose and big skates for the Eastern 

Regulatory Area to ensure that the sum 

of all skate removals from State and 

Federal waters of the GOA do not 

exceed ABC recommendations. 

Proposals 14 and 16, if adopted, would 

limit or close the PWS pollock fishery, 

which would mean a reduced or no 

GHL, and the final 2025 and 2026 

harvest specifications would account for 

this change to the GHL by changing the 

TAC. Proposal 43, if adopted, would 

establish a directed octopus fishery in 

PWS, which means the State could set 

a GHL. The final 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications would have to account for 

this GHL for octopus in PWS when 

specifying the TAC to ensure that the 

sum of all octopus removals from the 

State and Federal waters of the GOA do 

not exceed ABC recommendation. 

Proposed ABC and TAC Specifications 

In October 2024, the Council’s 

Scientific and Statistical Committee 

(SSC), its Advisory Panel (AP), and the 

Council reviewed the most recent 

biological and harvest information about 

the condition of the GOA groundfish 

stocks. The Council’s GOA Groundfish 

Plan Team (Plan Team) compiled and 

presented this information in the final 

2023 SAFE report for the GOA 

groundfish fisheries, dated December 

2023 (see ADDRESSES). The final 2024 

SAFE report, including individual stock 

assessments, will be available online 

(see ADDRESSES). The SAFE report 

contains a review of the latest scientific 

analyses and estimates of each species’ 

biomass and past, present, and possible 

future condition of the stocks and 

groundfish fisheries off Alaska. The 

SAFE report also contains an economic 

summary informed by the Economic 

SAFE report (available online, see 

ADDRESSES) and ecosystem information 

summarized from the ESR. The SAFE 


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provides information to the Council and 

NMFS for recommending and setting, 

respectively, annual harvest levels for 

each stock and documenting significant 

trends or changes in the resource, 

marine ecosystems, and fisheries over 

time. 

An ESR is prepared for the GOA 

ecosystem (as well as for the Bering Sea 

and Aleutian Islands ecosystems). ESRs 

compile and summarize information 

about the status of the Alaska marine 

ecosystems for the Plan Team, SSC, AP, 

Council, NMFS, and the public, and 

they are updated annually. These ESRs 

include ecosystem report cards, 

ecosystem assessments, and ecosystembased management indicators (i.e., 

climate indices, sea surface 

temperature), which together provide 

context for ecosystem-based fisheries 

management in Alaska. The ESRs 

inform stock assessments and are 

integrated into the annual harvest 

recommendations primarily through 

inclusion in stock assessment-specific 

risk tables that inform the specification 

of ABC for each target species. The ESRs 

provide context for the SSC’s 

recommendations for overfishing levels 

(OFL) and ABC, as well as for the 

Council’s TAC recommendations. The 

SAFE reports and the ESRs are 

presented at the October and December 

Council meetings before the SSC, AP, 

and the Council make groundfish 

harvest recommendations, and they aid 

NMFS in implementing these annual 

groundfish harvest specificaitions. 

In addition to the 2023 SAFE report 

(the most recent final SAFE report 

available), the Plan Team, SSC, and 

Council also reviewed preliminary 

survey data from 2024 surveys, updates 

on ecosystem and socioeconomic 

profiles (ESPs) for certain species, initial 

updates on climate and oceanography 

for Alaska ecosystems, summaries of 

potential changes to models, and stock 

assessment methodologies. From these 

data and analyses, the Plan Team and 

SSC recommend the proposed OFL and 

ABC for each species and species group. 

The AP and Council also review the 

data and analyses, including the 2023 

SAFE report, as well as Plan Team and 

SSC recommendations for OFL and ABC 

to develop their TAC recommendations. 

The AP and Council recommended that 

the proposed 2025 and 2026 TACs be 

set equal to proposed ABCs for all 

species and species groups (a species or 

species groups’ TAC cannot exceed its 

ABC), with the exception of the species 

and species groups further discussed 

below. The proposed OFLs, ABCs, and 

TACs could be changed in the final 

harvest specifications depending on the 

most recent scientific information 

contained in the final 2024 SAFE report 

and comments on this proposed rule. 

The individual stock assessments that 

comprise, in part, the 2023 SAFE report 

are available online (see ADDRESSES). 

The final 2024 SAFE report will be 

available from the same source. 

In November 2024, the Plan Team 

will update the 2023 SAFE report to 

include new information collected 

during 2024, such as NMFS stock 

surveys, revised stock assessments, and 

catch data. The Plan Team will compile 

this information and present the draft 

2024 SAFE report at the December 2024 

Council meeting. At that meeting, the 

SSC and the Council will review the 

2024 SAFE report, and the Council will 

approve the 2024 SAFE report for use in 

informing the Council’s final 

recommendations to NMFS. The 

Council will consider information in the 

2024 SAFE report, recommendations 

from the November 2024 Plan Team 

meeting and December 2024 SSC and 

AP meetings, public testimony, and 

relevant written public comments in 

making its recommendations to NMFS 

for the final 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications. Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(2) 

and (3), NMFS will specify the final 

TACs based on the biological condition 

of groundfish stocks, a variety of 

socioeconomic considerations; ensuring 

that the sum of all the TACs is to fall 

within the OY range. 

Potential Changes Between Proposed 

and Final Specifications 

In previous years, the most significant 

changes (relative to the amount of 

assessed tonnage of fish) to the OFLs 

and ABCs from the proposed to the final 

harvest specifications have been based 

on the most recent NMFS stock surveys. 

These surveys provide updated 

estimates of stock biomass and spatial 

distribution and inform changes to the 

models used for producing stock 

assessments. At the September 2024 

Plan Team meeting, NMFS scientists 

presented updated and new survey 

results. Scientists also discussed 

potential changes to assessment models 

and accompanying preliminary stock 

estimates. At the October 2024 Council 

meeting, the SSC reviewed this 

information. Species and species groups 

with proposed changes to assessment 

models include pollock, Pacific cod, 

dusky rockfish, and northern rockfish. 

Model changes may result in changes to 

the final OFLs, ABCs, and TACs. 

In November 2024, the Plan Team 

will consider updated survey results 

and updated stock assessments for 

groundfish stocks, which will be 

included in the draft 2024 SAFE report. 

If the 2024 SAFE report indicates that 

the stock biomass trend is increasing for 

a species, then the final 2025 and 2026 

harvest specifications for that species 

may reflect an increase from the 

proposed harvest specifications. 

Conversely, if the 2024 SAFE report 

indicates that the stock biomass trend is 

decreasing for a species, then the final 

2025 and 2026 harvest specifications for 

that species may reflect a decrease from 

the proposed harvest specifications. 

The proposed 2025 and 2026 OFLs 

and ABCs are based on the best 

available biological and scientific 

information, including projected 

biomass trends, information on assumed 

distribution of stock biomass, and 

revised technical methods used to 

calculate stock biomass. The FMP 

specifies the tiers to be used to calculate 

OFLs and ABCs. The tier applicable to 

a particular stock or stock complex is 

determined by the level of reliable 

information available to the fisheries 

scientists. This information is 

categorized into a successive series of 

six tiers to define OFLs and ABCs, with 

Tier 1 representing the highest level of 

information quality available and Tier 6 

representing the lowest level of 

information quality available. The Plan 

Team used the FMP tier structure to 

calculate OFLs and ABCs for each 

groundfish species. The SSC adopted 

the proposed 2025 and 2026 OFLs and 

ABCs recommended by the Plan Team 

for all groundfish species. The proposed 

2025 and 2026 TACs are based on the 

best available biological and 

socioeconomic information. In making 

its recommendations, the Council 

adopted the SSC’s OFL and ABC 

recommendations and the AP’s TAC 

recommendations for all groundfish 

species. NMFS has reviewed the 

recommendations of the SSC and 

Council for OFLs, ABCs, and TACs for 

target species and species groups in the 

GOA as well as any other relevant 

information. Based on that review, 

NMFS is proposing the OFLs, ABCs, 

and TACs set forth in the tables of this 

proposed rule as consistent with the 

Magnuson-Stevens Act, the FMP, and 

other applicable law, subject to further 

review and consideration after public 

comment. 

Specification and Apportionment of 

TAC Amounts 

The combined Western and Central 

(W/C) Regulatory Areas and the West 

Yakutat (WYK) District of the Eastern 

Regulatory Area (the W/C/WYK) pollock 

TAC and the GOA Pacific cod TACs are 

set to account for the State GHLs for the 

State waters pollock and Pacific cod 

fisheries so that the ABCs are not 

exceeded. These reductions are 


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described below. The shallow-water 

flatfish TAC in the Western Regulatory 

Area, arrowtooth flounder TACs in the 

Western Regulatory Area and the 

Southeast Outside (SEO) District, and 

flathead sole TAC in the Western 

Regulatory Area are set to allow for 

increased harvest opportunities for 

these target species while conserving 

the halibut PSC limit for use in other 

fisheries. The Atka mackerel TAC is set 

to accommodate incidental catch 

amounts (ICA) in other fisheries. The 

other rockfish TAC in the SEO District 

of the Eastern Regulatory Area is set to 

reduce the amount of discards of the 

species in that complex. 

NMFS’s proposed apportionments of 

groundfish species are based on the 

distribution of biomass among the 

regulatory areas over which NMFS 

manages the species. Additional 

regulations govern the apportionment of 

pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish. 

Additional detail on apportionments of 

pollock, Pacific cod, and sablefish are 

described below. 

The proposed 2025 and 2026 TAC for 

the pollock stock in the combined W/C/ 

WYK Regulatory Area is set to account 

for the GHL established by the State for 

the PWS pollock fishery. The Plan 

Team, SSC, AP, and Council have 

recommended that the sum of all State 

waters and Federal waters pollock 

removals from the GOA not exceed ABC 

recommendations. State fisheries 

managers set the PWS GHL at 2.5 

percent of the annual W/C/WYK pollock 

ABC. Currently, this GHL is based on 

the GHL historical percent average from 

2001 to 2010. For 2025 and 2026, this 

yields a projected PWS pollock GHL of 

3,942 mt, a decrease of 17 percent from 

the 2024 PWS GHL of 4,769 mt. After 

reductions for the PWS GHL, the 

remaining 2025 and 2026 pollock ABC 

for the combined W/C/WYK areas is 

then apportioned among four statistical 

areas (Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640) and 

corresponding TACs are proposed to be 

set equal to the ABCs, as described 

below and detailed in table 1. The total 

TACs for the four statistical areas, plus 

the State GHL, do not exceed the 

combined W/C/WYK ABC. The 

proposed W/C/WYK 2025 and 2026 

pollock ABC is 157,687 mt, and the 

proposed TAC is 153,745 mt. 

Apportionments of pollock to the W/ 

C/WYK management areas are 

considered to be apportionments of the 

TAC. Apportionments of the TAC in 

this manner allow NMFS to balance any 

transfer of TAC among Areas 610, 620, 

and 630 pursuant to § 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B) 

and to ensure that the combined W/C/ 

WYK ABC, ACL, and TAC are not 

exceeded. 

NMFS proposes pollock TACs in the 

Western (Area 610) and Central (Areas 

620 and 630) Regulatory Areas and the 

WYK (Area 640) and the SEO (Area 650) 

Districts of the GOA (see table 1). NMFS 

also proposes seasonal apportionment of 

the annual pollock TAC in the Western 

and Central Regulatory Areas of the 

GOA among Statistical Areas 610, 620, 

and 630. These apportionments are 

divided equally among the following 

two seasons: the A season (January 20 

through May 31) and the B season 

(September 1 through November 1) 

(§§ 679.23(d)(2) and 679.20(a)(5)(iv)). 

Additional detail is provided below; 

table 2 lists these amounts. 

The proposed 2025 and 2026 Pacific 

cod TACs (see table 1) are set to account 

for the State’s GHLs for Pacific cod in 

State waters in the Western and Central 

Regulatory Areas, as well as in PWS (in 

the Eastern Regulatory Area). The Plan 

Team, SSC, AP, and Council 

recommended that the sum of all State 

waters and Federal waters Pacific cod 

removals from the GOA not exceed ABC 

recommendations. Accordingly, the 

Council recommended and NMFS 

proposes that the 2025 and 2026 Pacific 

cod TACs in the Western, Central, and 

Eastern Regulatory Areas account for 

State GHLs. Therefore, the proposed 

2025 and 2026 Pacific cod TACs are less 

than the proposed ABCs by the 

following amounts: (1) Western GOA, 

2,291 mt; (2) Central GOA, 4,495 mt; 

and (3) Eastern GOA, 641 mt. These 

amounts reflect the State’s projected 

2025 and 2026 GHLs in these areas, 

which are 30 percent of the Western 

GOA proposed ABC, and 25 percent of 

both the Eastern and Central GOA 

proposed ABCs. 

The Western and Central GOA Pacific 

cod TACs are allocated among various 

gear and operational sectors. NMFS also 

establishes seasonal apportionments of 

the annual Pacific cod TACs in the 

Western and Central Regulatory Areas. 

The Pacific cod sector and seasonal 

apportionments are discussed in detail 

in a subsequent section and in table 4 

of this rule. 

The Council’s recommendation for 

sablefish area apportionments takes into 

account the prohibition on the use of 

trawl gear in the SEO District of the 

Eastern Regulatory Area (§ 679.7(b)(1)) 

and makes available 5 percent of the 

Eastern Regulatory Area (WYK and SEO 

Districts combined) TAC to vessels 

using trawl gear for use as incidental 

catch in other trawl groundfish fisheries 

in the WYK District (§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)). 

Additional detail is provided below. 

Tables 5 and 6 list the proposed 2025 

and 2026 allocations of the sablefish 

TAC to fixed gear and trawl gear in the 

GOA. 

For 2025 and 2026, the Council 

recommends, and NMFS proposes, the 

OFLs, ABCs, and TACs listed in table 1. 

These amounts are consistent with the 

biological condition of groundfish 

stocks as described in the 2023 SAFE 

report. The proposed ABCs reflect 

harvest amounts that are less than the 

specified OFLs. The proposed TACs are 

adjusted for other biological and 

socioeconomic considerations and do 

not exceed ABCs. The sum of the 

proposed TACs for all GOA groundfish 

target species is 482,000 mt for 2025 and 

2026, which is within the OY range 

specified by the FMP and implementing 

regulations. These proposed amounts 

and apportionments by area, season, 

and sector are subject to change by 

NMFS pending consideration of the 

2024 SAFE report, public comment, and 

the Council’s recommendations for the 

final 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications during its December 2024 

meeting. 

TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST

YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE

DISTRICTS OF THE EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICT OF THE GULF OF ALASKA

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Species Area 1 OFL ABC TAC 2

Pollock 2 .................................................................................... Shumagin (610) ...................................... n/a 32,144 32,144 

Chirikof (620) .......................................... n/a 75,179 75,179 

Kodiak (630) ............................................ n/a 41,821 41,821 

WYK (640) .............................................. n/a 4,601 4,601 

W/C/WYK (subtotal) ................................ 182,891 157,687 153,745 


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TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST

YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE

DISTRICTS OF THE EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICT OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued 

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Species Area 1 OFL ABC TAC 2

SEO (650) ........................................ 12,998 9,749 9,749 

Total ................................................. 195,889 167,436 163,494 

Pacific cod 3 .............................................................................. W ............................................................. n/a 7,638 5,347 

C .............................................................. n/a 17,981 13,486 

E .............................................................. n/a 2,565 1,924 

Total ........................................................ 33,970 28,184 20,757 

Sablefish 4 ................................................................................ W ............................................................. n/a 4,719 4,719 

C .............................................................. n/a 9,693 9,693 

WYK ........................................................ n/a 2,940 2,940 

SEO ......................................................... n/a 5,343 5,343 

Subtotal TAC ................................... n/a n/a 22,695 

Total ................................................. 55,317 47,350 n/a 

Shallow-water flatfish 5 ............................................................. W ............................................................. n/a 23,782 13,250 

C .............................................................. n/a 28,311 28,311 

WYK ........................................................ n/a 2,831 2,831 

SEO ......................................................... n/a 1,699 1,699 

Total ................................................. 69,354 56,623 46,091 

Deep-water flatfish 6 ................................................................. W ............................................................. n/a 234 234 

C .............................................................. n/a 2,614 2,614 

WYK ........................................................ n/a 1,827 1,827 

SEO ......................................................... n/a 2,278 2,278 

Total ................................................. 8,257 6,953 6,953 

Rex sole ................................................................................... W ............................................................. n/a 3,363 3,363 

C .............................................................. n/a 13,624 13,624 

WYK ........................................................ n/a 1,439 1,439 

SEO ......................................................... n/a 2,877 2,877 

Total ................................................. 25,900 21,303 21,303 

Arrowtooth flounder .................................................................. W ............................................................. n/a 30,323 14,500 

C .............................................................. n/a 64,688 64,688 

WYK ........................................................ n/a 7,848 7,848 

SEO ......................................................... n/a 16,053 6,900 

Total ................................................. 142,074 118,912 93,936 

Flathead sole ............................................................................ W ............................................................. n/a 13,521 8,650 

C .............................................................. n/a 21,702 21,702 

WYK ........................................................ n/a 3,949 3,949 

SEO ......................................................... n/a 2,086 2,086 

Total ................................................. 50,322 41,258 36,387 

Pacific ocean perch 7 ............................................................... W ............................................................. n/a 1,726 1,726 

C .............................................................. n/a 27,768 27,768 

WYK ........................................................ n/a 2,038 2,038 

SEO ......................................................... n/a 6,822 6,822 

Total ................................................. 45,835 38,354 38,354 

Northern rockfish 8 .................................................................... W ............................................................. n/a 2,446 2,446 

C .............................................................. n/a 2,200 2,200 

E .............................................................. n/a .................. ..................

Total ................................................. 5,548 4,646 4,646 

Shortraker rockfish 9 ................................................................. W ............................................................. n/a 34 34 

C .............................................................. n/a 189 189 

E .............................................................. n/a 424 424 

Total ................................................. 863 647 647 


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TABLE 1—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 OFLS, ABCS, AND TACS OF GROUNDFISH FOR THE WESTERN/CENTRAL/WEST

YAKUTAT, WESTERN, CENTRAL, AND EASTERN REGULATORY AREAS, THE WEST YAKUTAT AND SOUTHEAST OUTSIDE

DISTRICTS OF THE EASTERN REGULATORY AREA, AND GULFWIDE DISTRICT OF THE GULF OF ALASKA—Continued 

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Species Area 1 OFL ABC TAC 2

Dusky rockfish 10 ...................................................................... W ............................................................. n/a 137 137 

C .............................................................. n/a 6,979 6,979 

WYK ........................................................ n/a 81 81 

SEO ......................................................... n/a 28 28 

Total ................................................. 8,796 7,225 7,225 

Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish 11 ................................... W ............................................................. n/a 198 198 

C .............................................................. n/a 317 317 

E .............................................................. n/a 526 526 

Total ................................................. 1,566 1,041 1,041 

Demersal shelf rockfish 12 ........................................................ SEO ......................................................... 376 283 283

Thornyhead rockfish 13 ............................................................. W ............................................................. n/a 314 314 

C .............................................................. n/a 693 693 

E .............................................................. n/a 621 621 

Total ................................................. 2,170 1,628 1,628 

Other rockfish 14 15 ................................................................... W/C/WYK combined ............................... n/a 1,353 1,353 

SEO ......................................................... n/a 2,421 300 

Total ................................................. 4,977 3,774 1,653 

Atka mackerel .......................................................................... GW .......................................................... 6,200 4,700 3,000 

Big skates 16 ............................................................................. W ............................................................. n/a 745 745 

C .............................................................. n/a 1,749 1,749 

E .............................................................. n/a 341 341 

Total ................................................. 3,780 2,835 2,835 

Longnose skates 17 .................................................................. W ............................................................. n/a 104 104 

C .............................................................. n/a 1,894 1,894 

E .............................................................. n/a 538 538 

Total ........................................................ 3,380 2,536 2,536 

Other skates 18 ......................................................................... GW .......................................................... 887 665 665 

Sharks ...................................................................................... GW .......................................................... 6,521 4,891 4,891 

Octopuses ................................................................................ GW .......................................................... 1,307 980 980 

Total .................................................................................. ................................................................. 673,289 562,224 482,000 

1 Regulatory areas and districts are defined at § 679.2. (W=Western Gulf of Alaska; C=Central Gulf of Alaska; E=Eastern Gulf of Alaska; 

WYK=West Yakutat District; SEO=Southeast Outside District; GW=Gulfwide). 2The total for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas pollock ABC is 157,687 mt. After deducting 2.5 percent (3,942 mt) of that ABC for the State’s 

pollock GHL fishery, the remaining pollock ABC of 153,745 mt (for the W/C/WYK Regulatory Areas) is apportioned among four statistical areas 

(Areas 610, 620, 630, and 640). The apportionments in Areas 610, 620, and 630 are further divided by season, as detailed in table 2 (proposed 

2025 and 2026 seasonal biomass distribution of pollock in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas, area apportionments, and seasonal allowances). In the West Yakutat (Area 640) and Southeast Outside (Area 650) Districts of the Eastern Regulatory Area, pollock is not divided into 

seasonal allowances. 3The annual Pacific cod TAC is apportioned, after seasonal apportionment to the jig sector, as follows: 1) 63.84 percent to the A season and 

36.16 percent to the B season and 2) 64.16 percent to the A season and 35.84 percent to the B season in the Western and Central Regulatory 

Areas of the GOA, respectively. The Pacific cod TAC in the Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA is allocated 90 percent to vessels harvesting 

Pacific cod for processing by the inshore component and 10 percent to vessels harvesting Pacific cod for processing by the offshore component. 

Table 4 lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 Pacific cod seasonal apportionments and sector allocations. 4The sablefish OFL and ABC are set Alaska-wide (55,317 mt and 47,350 mt, respectively), and the GOA sablefish TAC is 22,695 mt. Tables 5 

and 6 list the proposed 2025 and 2026 allocations of sablefish TACs. 5 ‘‘Shallow-water flatfish’’ means flatfish not including ‘‘deep-water flatfish,’’ flathead sole, rex sole, or arrowtooth flounder. 6 ‘‘Deep-water flatfish’’ means Dover sole, Greenland turbot, Kamchatka flounder, and deepsea sole. 

7 ‘‘Pacific ocean perch’’ means Sebastes alutus. 8 ‘‘Northern rockfish’’ means Sebastes polyspinis. For management purposes, the one mt apportionment of ABC to the WYK District of the 

Eastern Regulatory Area has been included in the other rockfish species group. 9 ‘‘Shortraker rockfish’’ means Sebastes borealis. 10 ‘‘Dusky rockfish’’ means Sebastes variabilis. 11 ‘‘Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish’’ means Sebastes aleutianus (rougheye) and Sebastes melanostictus (blackspotted). 12 ‘‘Demersal shelf rockfish’’ means Sebastes pinniger (canary), S. nebulosus (china), S. caurinus (copper), S. maliger (quillback), S. 

helvomaculatus (rosethorn), S. nigrocinctus (tiger), and S. ruberrimus (yelloweye). 13 ‘‘Thornyhead rockfish’’ means Sebastolobus species. 


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14 ‘‘Other rockfish’’ means Sebastes aurora (aurora), S. melanostomus (blackgill), S. paucispinis (bocaccio), S. goodei (chilipepper), S. crameri 

(darkblotch), S. elongatus (greenstriped), S. variegatus (harlequin), S. wilsoni (pygmy), S. babcocki (redbanded), S. proriger (redstripe), S. 

zacentrus (sharpchin), S. jordani (shortbelly), S. brevispinis (silvergray), S. diploproa (splitnose), S. saxicola (stripetail), S. miniatus (vermilion), S. 

reedi (yellowmouth), S. entomelas (widow), and S. flavidus (yellowtail). In the Eastern GOA only, other rockfish also includes northern rockfish 

(S. polyspinis). 

15Other rockfish in the Western and Central Regulatory Areas and in the West Yakutat District of the Eastern Regulatory Area means all rockfish species included in the other rockfish and demersal shelf rockfish categories. The other rockfish species group in the SEO District only includes other rockfish. 16 ‘‘Big skates’’ means Beringraja binoculata. 17 ‘‘Longnose skates’’ means Raja rhina. 18 ‘‘Other skates’’ means Bathyraja. 

Proposed Apportionment of Reserves 

Section 679.20(b)(2) requires NMFS to 

set aside 20 percent of each TAC for 

pollock, Pacific cod, flatfish, sharks, and 

octopuses in reserve for possible 

apportionment at a later date during the 

fishing year. Section 679.20(b)(3) 

authorizes NMFS to reapportion all or 

part of these reserves. In 2024, NMFS 

reapportioned all of the reserves in the 

final 2024 and 2025 harvest 

specifications. For 2025 and 2026, 

NMFS proposes reapportionment of 

each of the reserves for pollock, Pacific 

cod, flatfish, sharks, and octopuses back 

into the original TAC from which the 

reserve was derived. NMFS expects, 

based on recent harvest patterns, that 

such reserves will not be necessary for 

the management of these fisheries and 

that the entire TAC for each of these 

species will be caught or are needed to 

promote efficient fisheries. The TACs in 

table 1 reflect this proposed 

reapportionment of reserve amounts to 

the original TAC for these species and 

species groups, i.e., each proposed TAC 

for the above-mentioned species or 

species groups contains the full TAC 

recommended by the Council. 

Proposed Apportionments of Pollock 

TAC Among Seasons and Regulatory 

Areas and Allocations for Processing by 

Inshore and Offshore Components 

In the GOA, pollock is apportioned by 

season and is further allocated for 

processing by inshore and offshore 

components. Pursuant to 

§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B), the annual pollock 

TAC specified for the Western and 

Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA is 

apportioned into two seasonal 

allowances of 50 percent each. As 

established by § 679.23(d)(2), the A and 

B season allowances are available from 

January 20 through May 31 and 

September 1 through November 1, 

respectively. 

Pollock TACs in the Western and 

Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA are 

apportioned among Statistical Areas 

610, 620, and 630 in proportion to the 

distribution of pollock biomass 

determined by the most recent NMFS 

surveys, pursuant to 

§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(A). The pollock 

chapter of the 2023 SAFE report (see 

ADDRESSES) contains a comprehensive 

description of the apportionment and 

reasons for the minor changes from past 

apportionments. Pollock is specified 

between two seasons for the Western 

and Central Regulatory Areas of the 

GOA (A and B seasons). There are four 

seasonal apportionments: A, B, C, and D 

seasons as outlined in the 2023 GOA 

pollock assessment in the 2023 SAFE 

report. The GOA pollock stock 

assessment continues to use a fourseason methodology to determine 

pollock distribution in the Western and 

Central Regulatory Areas of the GOA to 

maintain continuity in the historical 

pollock apportionment time-series. A 

and B seasons from the assessment are 

aggregated into the A season for the 

purposes of specifications and C and D 

seasons from the assessement are 

aggregated into the B season for the 

purposes of specifications. This method 

is described and calculated in the 2023 

GOA pollock assessment. 

Within any fishing year, the amount 

by which a seasonal allowance is 

underharvested or overharvested may be 

added to, or subtracted from, 

subsequent seasonal allowances in a 

manner to be determined by the 

Regional Administrator 

(§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The rollover 

amount is limited to 20 percent of the 

subsequent seasonal TAC 

apportionment for the statistical area. 

Any unharvested pollock above the 20 

percent limit could be further 

distributed to the subsequent season in 

the other statistical areas in proportion 

to the estimated biomass of the 

subsequent season and in an amount no 

more than 20 percent of the seasonal 

TAC apportionment in those statistical 

areas (§ 679.20(a)(5)(iv)(B)). The 

proposed 2025 and 2026 pollock TACs 

in the WYK District of 4,601 mt and the 

SEO District of 9,749 mt are not 

allocated by season. 

Table 2 lists the proposed 2025 and 

2026 area apportionments and seasonal 

allowances of pollock in the Western 

and Central Regulatory Areas. The 

amounts of pollock for processing by the 

inshore and offshore components are 

not shown. Section 679.20(a)(6)(i) 

requires allocation of 100 percent of the 

pollock TAC in all regulatory areas and 

all seasonal allowances to vessels 

catching pollock for processing by the 

inshore component after subtraction of 

amounts projected by the Regional 

Administrator to be caught by, or 

delivered to, the offshore component 

incidental to directed fishing for other 

groundfish species. Thus, the amount of 

pollock available for harvest by vessels 

harvesting pollock for processing by the 

offshore component is the amount that 

will be taken as incidental catch during 

directed fishing for groundfish species 

other than pollock, up to the maximum 

retainable amounts allowed by 

§ 679.20(e) and (f). At this time, these 

ICAs of pollock are unknown and will 

be determined during the fishing year 

during the course of fishing activities by 

the offshore component. 

TABLE 2—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS

OF THE GULF OF ALASKA; AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC 1

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Season 2 Shumigan 

(Area 610) 

Chirikof 

(Area 620) 

Kodiak 

(Area 630) Total 3

A (January 20–May 31) ................................................................................... 4,483 58,629 11,460 74,572 

B (September 1–November 1) ........................................................................ 27,661 16,550 30,361 74,572 


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TABLE 2—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 DISTRIBUTION OF POLLOCK IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN REGULATORY AREAS

OF THE GULF OF ALASKA; AREA APPORTIONMENTS; AND SEASONAL ALLOWANCES OF ANNUAL TAC 1—Continued 

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Season 2 Shumigan 

(Area 610) 

Chirikof 

(Area 620) 

Kodiak 

(Area 630) Total 3

Annual Total ............................................................................................. 32,144 75,179 41,821 149,144 

1Area apportionments and seasonal allowances may not total precisely due to rounding. 

2As established by § 679.23(d)(2), the A and B season allowances are available from January 20 through May 31 and September 1 through 

November 1, respectively. The amounts of pollock for processing by the inshore and offshore components are not shown in this table. 3The West Yakutat and Southeast Outside District pollock TACs are not allocated by season and are not included in the total pollock TACs 

shown in this table. 

Proposed Annual and Seasonal 

Apportionments of Pacific Cod TAC 

Section 679.20(a)(12)(i) requires 

allocations for the 2025 and 2026 Pacific 

cod TACs in the Western and Central 

Regulatory Areas of the GOA among 

gear and operational sectors as well as 

seasonal apportionments of the Pacific 

cod TACs in the Western and Central 

Regulatory Areas. A portion of the 

annual TAC is apportioned to the A 

season for hook-and-line, pot, and jig 

gear from January 1 through June 10 and 

for trawl gear from January 20 through 

June 10. The remainder of the annual 

TAC is apportioned to the B season for 

jig gear from June 10 through December 

31, for hook-and-line and pot gear from 

September 1 through December 31, and 

for trawl gear from September 1 through 

November 1 (§§ 679.23(d)(3) and 

679.20(a)(12)). Section 679.20(a)(6)(ii) 

requires allocations of the 2025 and 

2026 Pacific cod TACs annually 

between the inshore (90 percent) and 

offshore (10 percent) components in the 

Eastern Regulatory Area of the GOA. 

In the Western GOA, the Pacific cod 

TAC is apportioned seasonally first to 

vessels using jig gear and then among 

catcher vessels (CVs) using hook-andline gear, catcher/processors (CPs) using 

hook-and-line gear, CVs using trawl 

gear, CPs using trawl gear, and vessels 

using pot gear (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A)). In 

the Central GOA, the Pacific cod TAC is 

apportioned seasonally first to vessels 

using jig gear and then among CVs less 

than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) in length 

overall using hook-and-line gear, CVs 

equal to or greater than 50 feet (15.2 m) 

in length overall using hook-and-line 

gear, CPs using hook-and-line gear, CVs 

using trawl gear, CPs using trawl gear, 

and vessels using pot gear 

(§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)(B)). Allocations to the 

jig sector for the Western and Central 

GOA are apportioned between the A 

season (60 percent) and the B season (40 

percent) (§ 679.20(a)(12)(i)). Excluding 

seasonal apportionments to the jig gear 

sector, the remainder of the annual 

Pacific cod TACs are apportioned as 

follows: the seasonal apportionments of 

the annual TAC are 63.84 percent to the 

A season and 36.16 percent to the B 

season in the Western GOA and 64.16 

percent to the A season and 35.84 

percent to the B season in the Central 

GOA. 

Under § 679.20(a)(12)(ii), any overage 

or underage of the Pacific cod allowance 

from the A season may be subtracted 

from, or added to, the subsequent B 

season allowance. In addition, any 

portion of the hook-and-line, trawl, pot, 

or jig sector allocations that is 

determined by NMFS as likely to go 

unharvested by a sector may be 

reallocated to other sectors for harvest 

during the remainder of the fishing year 

consistent with the factors set forth in 

regulation. 

Pursuant to § 679.20(a)(12)(i)(A) and 

(B), a portion of the annual Pacific cod 

TACs in the Western and Central GOA 

will be allocated to vessels with a 

Federal fisheries permit that use jig gear 

before the TACs are apportioned among 

other non-jig sectors. In accordance with 

the FMP, the annual jig sector 

allocations may increase to up to 6 

percent of the annual Western and 

Central GOA Pacific cod TACs, 

depending on the annual performance 

of the jig sector (see table 1 of 

amendment 83 to the FMP for a detailed 

discussion of the jig sector allocation 

process (76 FR 74670, December 1, 

2011)). Jig sector allocation increases are 

established for a minimum of 2 years. 

NMFS has evaluated the historical 

harvest performance of the jig sector in 

the Western and Central GOA and is 

proposing the 2025 and 2026 Pacific cod 

apportionments to this sector based on 

its historical harvest performance 

through 2024. For 2025 and 2026, 

NMFS proposes that the jig sector 

receive 3.5 percent of the annual Pacific 

cod TAC in the Western GOA. The 2025 

and 2026 allocation consists of a base 

allocation of 1.5 percent of the Western 

GOA Pacific cod TAC and a harvest 

performance increase of 2 percent based 

on prior harvest performance. If the jig 

sector does not reach 90 percent of its 

Western GOA Pacific cod allocation for 

the 2024 fishing year, which appears 

likely based on catch through October 

2024, the prior harvest performance 

increase of 2 percent would be 

maintained because allocation increases 

are established for a minimum of 2 

years. For 2025 and 2026, NMFS also 

proposes that the jig sector receive 3 

percent of the annual Pacific cod TAC 

in the Central GOA. The 2025 and 2026 

allocation consists of a base allocation 

of 1 percent and a harvest performance 

increase of 2 percent based on harvest 

performance through 2024 because the 

jig sector did reach 90 percent of its 

Central GOA Pacific cod allocation for 

the 2024 fishing year. The Pacific cod jig 

allocations, catch, and percent 

allocation changes are listed in table 3. 

TABLE 3—SUMMARY OF WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA PACIFIC COD CATCH BY JIG GEAR IN 2014 THROUGH 2023, 

AND CORRESPONDING PERCENT ALLOCATION CHANGES

Area Year 

Initial 

percent of 

TAC 

Initial TAC allocation Catch 

(mt) 

Percent of initial 

allocation 

>90 Percent 

of initial 

allocation? 

Change to 

percent allocation 

Western GOA ..................................... 2014 2.5 573 785 137 Y Increase 1. 

2015 3.5 948 55 6 N None. 

2016 3.5 992 52 5 N Decrease 1. 

2017 2.5 635 49 8 N Decrease 1. 

2018 1.5 125 121 97 Y Increase 1. 

2019 2.5 134 134 100 Y Increase 1. 


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TABLE 3—SUMMARY OF WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA PACIFIC COD CATCH BY JIG GEAR IN 2014 THROUGH 2023, 

AND CORRESPONDING PERCENT ALLOCATION CHANGES—Continued 

Area Year 

Initial 

percent of 

TAC 

Initial TAC allocation Catch 

(mt) 

Percent of initial 

allocation 

>90 Percent 

of initial 

allocation? 

Change to 

percent allocation 

2020 1 n/a ........................ ........................ ........................ ....................

2021 3.5 195 26 13 N None. 

2022 3.5 243 2 1 N Decrease 1. 

2023 2.5 131 131 101 Y Increase 1. 

2024 3.5 214 17 8 N None. 

Central GOA ....................................... 2014 2 797 262 33 N Decrease 1. 

2015 1 460 355 77 N None. 

2016 1 370 267 72 N None. 

2017 1 331 18 6 N None. 

2018 1 61 0 0 N None. 

2019 1 58 30 52 N None. 

2020 1 n/a ........................ ........................ ........................ ....................

2021 1 102 26 26 N None. 

2022 1 113 3 3 N None. 

2023 1 111 246 222 Y Increase 1. 

2024 2 309 303 98 Y Increase 1. 

1 NMFS did not evaluate the 2020 performance of the jig sectors in the Western and Central GOA because NMFS prohibited directed fishing for all Pacific cod sectors in 2020 (84 FR 70438, December 23, 2019). 

NMFS will re-evaluate the annual 

2024 harvest performance of the jig 

sector in the Western and Central GOA 

when the 2024 fishing year is complete 

to determine whether to change the jig 

sector allocations proposed by this 

action in conjunction with the final 

2025 and 2026 harvest specifications. 

The current catch through October 2024 

by the Central GOA jig sector indicates 

that the Pacific cod allocation 

percentage for this sector will increase 

by 1 percent in the Central GOA. 

However, based on catch through 

October 2024, an increase is unlikely for 

the jig sector in the Western GOA. Table 

4 lists the seasonal apportionments and 

allocations of the proposed 2025 and 

2026 Pacific cod TACs. 

TABLE 4—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 SEASONAL APPORTIONMENTS AND ALLOCATIONS OF PACIFIC COD TAC AMOUNTS

IN THE GOA; ALLOCATIONS TO THE WESTERN GOA AND CENTRAL GOA SECTORS, AND THE EASTERN GOA 

INSHORE AND OFFSHORE PROCESSING COMPONENTS

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Regulatory area and sector 

Annual 

allocation 

(mt) 

A Season B Season 

Sector 

percentage of 

annual 

non-jig TAC 

Seasonal 

allowances 

(mt) 

Sector 

percentage of 

annual 

non-jig TAC 

Seasonal 

allowances 

(mt) 

Western GOA: 

Jig (3.5 percent of TAC) ............................................... 187 N/A 112 N/A 75 

Hook-and-line CV ......................................................... 72 0.7 36 0.7 36 

Hook-and-line CP ......................................................... 1022 10.9 562 8.9 459 

Trawl CV ....................................................................... 1981 31.54 1627 6.86 354 

Trawl CP ....................................................................... 124 0.9 46 1.5 77 

Pot CV and Pot CP ...................................................... 1961 19.8 1022 18.2 939 

Total ....................................................................... 5,347 63.84 3,406 36.16 1,941 

Central GOA: 

Jig (3 percent of TAC) .................................................. 405 N/A 243 N/A 162 

Hook-and-line < 50 CV ................................................. 1,910 9.32 1,219 5.29 692 

Hook-and-line ≥ 50 CV ................................................. 877 5.61 734 1.1 144 

Hook-and-line CP ......................................................... 668 4.11 537 0.9975 130 

Trawl CV1 ..................................................................... 5,440 25.29 3,309 16.29 2,131 

Trawl CP ....................................................................... 549 2 262 2.19 287 

Pot CV and Pot CP ...................................................... 3,637 17.83 2,332 9.98 1,305 

Total ....................................................................... 13,486 64.16 8,641 35.84 4,845 

Eastern GOA ........................................................................ ........................ Inshore (90 percent of Annual 

TAC) 

Offshore (10 percent of Annual 

TAC) 

1,924 1,732 192 

1 Trawl CVs participating in Rockfish Program cooperatives receive 3.81 percent, or 514 mt, of the annual Central GOA Pacific cod TAC (see 

table 28c to 50 CFR part 679). This apportionment is deducted from the Trawl CV B season allowance (see table 9: Proposed 2025 and 2026 

Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA and table 28c to 50 CFR part 679). 


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Proposed Allocations of the Sablefish 

TAC to Vessels Using Fixed Gear and 

Trawl Gear 

Section 679.20(a)(4)(i) and (ii) 

requires allocations of sablefish TACs 

for each of the regulatory areas and 

districts to fixed and trawl gear. In the 

Western and Central Regulatory Areas, 

80 percent of each TAC is allocated to 

fixed gear, and 20 percent of each TAC 

is allocated to trawl gear. In the Eastern 

Regulatory Area, 95 percent of the TAC 

is allocated to fixed gear, and 5 percent 

is allocated to trawl gear. The trawl gear 

allocation in the Eastern Regulatory 

Area may be used only to support 

incidental catch of sablefish while 

directed fishing for other target species 

using trawl gear (§ 679.20(a)(4)(i)). 

In recognition of the prohibition 

against trawl gear in the SEO District of 

the Eastern Regulatory Area, the Council 

recommended, and NMFS proposes, 

specifying for incidental catch the 

allocation of 5 percent of the Eastern 

Regulatory Area (WYK and SEO 

Districts combined) sablefish TAC to 

trawl gear in the WYK District of the 

Eastern Regulatory Area. The remainder 

of the WYK District sablefish TAC is 

allocated to vessels using fixed gear. 

This proposed action allocates 100 

percent of the sablefish TAC in the SEO 

District to vessels using fixed gear. This 

results in proposed 2025 allocations of 

414 mt to trawl gear and 2,526 mt to 

fixed gear in the WYK District and a 

proposed 2025 allocation of 5,343 mt to 

fixed gear in the SEO District. Table 5 

lists the allocations of the proposed 

2025 sablefish TACs to fixed and trawl 

gear. Table 6 lists the allocations of the 

proposed 2026 sablefish TACs to trawl 

gear. 

The Council recommended that the 

trawl sablefish TAC be established for 2 

years so that retention of incidental 

catch of sablefish by trawl gear could 

commence in January (when the trawl 

season opens) in the second year of the 

groundfish harvest specifications. 

NMFS concurs with this 

recommendation. Tables 5 and 6 list the 

proposed 2025 and 2026 trawl 

allocations, respectively. 

The Council also recommended that 

the fixed gear sablefish TAC be 

established annually to ensure that the 

sablefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) 

fishery is conducted concurrently with 

the halibut IFQ fishery and is based on 

the most recent survey information. 

Since there is an annual assessment for 

sablefish and since the final harvest 

specifications are expected to be 

published before the IFQ season begins 

(typically, in early March), the Council 

recommended that the fixed gear 

sablefish TAC be set annually, rather 

than for 2 years. NMFS concurs with 

this recommendation. Accordingly, 

table 5 lists the proposed 2025 fixed 

gear allocations, and the 2026 fixed gear 

allocations will be specified in the final 

2026 and 2027 harvest specifications. 

With the exception of the trawl 

allocations that are provided to the 

Rockfish Program (see table 28c to 50 

CFR part 679), directed fishing for 

sablefish with trawl gear is typically 

closed at the beginning of the fishing 

year (e.g., table 27 of the final 2024 and 

2025 GOA harvest specifications, 89 FR 

15484, March 4, 2024). Also, fishing for 

groundfish with trawl gear is prohibited 

prior to January 20 (§ 679.23(c)). 

Therefore, it is not likely that the 

sablefish allocation to trawl gear would 

be reached before the effective date of 

the final 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications. 

TABLE 5—PROPOSED 2025 SABLEFISH TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATIONS TO FIXED AND TRAWL

GEAR

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Area/District TAC Fixed gear allocation Trawl allocation 

Western ................................................................................................................ 4,719 3,775 944 

Central 1 ............................................................................................................... 9,693 7,754 1,939 

West Yakutat 2 ..................................................................................................... 2,940 2,526 414 

Southeast Outside ............................................................................................... 5,343 5,343 ..............................

Total .............................................................................................................. 22,695 19,398 3,297 

1The proposed trawl allocation of sablefish to the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (997 

mt). See table 9: Proposed 2025 and 2026 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 942 mt being 

available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries. 2The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts 

combined) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District. 

TABLE 6—PROPOSED 2026 SABLEFISH TAC AMOUNTS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA AND ALLOCATION TO TRAWL GEAR 1

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Area/district TAC Fixed gear allocation 

Trawl 

allocation 

Western ........................................................................................................................................ 4,719 n/a 944 

Central 2 ....................................................................................................................................... 9,693 n/a 1,939 

West Yakutat 3 ............................................................................................................................. 2,940 n/a 414 

Southeast Outside ....................................................................................................................... 5,343 n/a ........................

Total ...................................................................................................................................... 22,695 n/a 3,297 

1The Council recommended that the proposed 2026 harvest specifications for the fixed gear sablefish IFQ fisheries not be specified in the 

2025 and 2026 harvest specifications. The 2026 fixed gear allocations will be specified in the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications. 2The proposed trawl allocation of sablefish to the Central Regulatory Area is further apportioned to the Rockfish Program cooperatives (997 

mt). See table 9: Proposed 2025 and 2026 Apportionments of Rockfish Secondary Species in the Central GOA. This results in 942 mt being 

available for the non-Rockfish Program trawl fisheries. 3The proposed trawl allocation is based on allocating 5 percent of the Eastern Regulatory Area (West Yakutat and Southeast Outside Districts 

combined) sablefish TAC as incidental catch to trawl gear in the West Yakutat District. 


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Proposed Allocations, Apportionments, 

and Sideboard Limitations for the 

Rockfish Program 

These proposed 2025 and 2026 

harvest specifications for the GOA 

include the fishery cooperative 

allocations and sideboard limitations 

established by the Rockfish Program. 

Program participants are primarily trawl 

CVs and trawl CPs, with limited 

participation by vessels using longline 

gear. The Rockfish Program assigns 

quota share and cooperative quota to 

trawl participants for primary species 

(Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish, 

and dusky rockfish) and secondary 

species (Pacific cod, rougheye and 

blackspotted rockfish, sablefish, 

shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead 

rockfish), allows a participant holding a 

License Limitation Program (LLP) 

license with rockfish quota share to 

form a rockfish cooperative with other 

persons, and allows holders of CP LLP 

licenses to opt out of the fishery. The 

Rockfish Program also has an entry level 

fishery for rockfish primary species for 

vessels using longline gear. Longline 

gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, 

and handline gear. 

Under the Rockfish Program, rockfish 

primary species in the Central GOA are 

allocated to participants after deducting 

for incidental catch needs in other 

directed fisheries (§ 679.81(a)(2)). 

Participants in the Rockfish Program 

also receive a portion of the Central 

GOA TAC of specific secondary species. 

In addition to groundfish species, the 

Rockfish Program allocates a portion of 

the halibut PSC limit (191 mt) from the 

third season deep-water species fishery 

allowance for the GOA trawl fisheries to 

Rockfish Program participants 

(§ 679.81(d) and table 28d to 50 CFR 

part 679). The Rockfish Program also 

establishes sideboard limits to restrict 

the ability of harvesters operating under 

the Rockfish Program to increase their 

participation in other, non-Rockfish 

Program fisheries. These restrictions 

and halibut PSC limits are discussed in 

the Rockfish Program Groundfish 

Sideboard and Halibut PSC Limitations 

section of this proposed rule. 

Section 679.81(a)(2)(ii) and table 28e 

to 50 CFR part 679 require allocations 

of 5 mt of Pacific ocean perch, 5 mt of 

northern rockfish, and 50 mt of dusky 

rockfish to the entry level longline 

fishery in 2025 and 2026. The 

allocations of primary species to the 

entry level longline fishery may increase 

incrementally each year if the catch 

exceeds 90 percent of the allocation of 

a species. The incremental increase in 

the allocations would continue each 

year until reaching the maximum 

percentage of the TAC for that species. 

In 2024, the catch for all three primary 

species did not exceed 90 percent of any 

allocated rockfish species. Therefore, 

NMFS is not proposing any increases to 

the entry level longline fishery 2025 and 

2026 allocations in the Central GOA. 

The remainder of the TACs for the 

rockfish primary species, after 

subtracting the ICAs, would be allocated 

to the CV and CP cooperatives 

(§ 679.81(a)(2)(iii)). Table 7 lists the 

allocations of the proposed 2025 and 

2026 TACs for each rockfish primary 

species to the entry level longline 

fishery, the potential incremental 

increases for future years, and the 

maximum percentages of the TACs of 

the rockfish primary species allocations 

to the entry level longline fishery. 

TABLE 7—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE

FISHERY IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA

Rockfish primary species Proposed 2025 and 2026 allocations Incremental increase in 2025 if >90 

percent of 2024 allocation is harvested 

Up to maximum 

percent of each 

TAC of 

Pacific ocean perch .............................. 5 metric tons ......................................... 5 metric tons ......................................... 1 

Northern rockfish ................................... 5 metric tons ......................................... 5 metric tons ......................................... 2 

Dusky rockfish ....................................... 50 metric tons ....................................... 20 metric tons ....................................... 5 

Section 679.81 requires allocations of 

rockfish primary species among various 

sectors of the Rockfish Program. Table 8 

lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 

allocations of rockfish primary species 

in the Central GOA to the entry level 

longline fishery and rockfish CV and CP 

cooperatives in the Rockfish Program. 

NMFS also proposes setting aside ICAs 

for other directed fisheries in the 

Central GOA of 3,500 mt of Pacific 

ocean perch, 300 mt of northern 

rockfish, and 250 mt of dusky rockfish. 

These amounts are based on recent 

average incidental catches in the Central 

GOA by other groundfish fisheries. 

Allocations among vessels belonging 

to CV or CP cooperatives are not 

included in these proposed harvest 

specifications. Rockfish Program 

applications for CV cooperatives and CP 

cooperatives are not due to NMFS until 

March 1 of each calendar year; 

therefore, NMFS cannot calculate 2025 

and 2026 allocations in conjunction 

with these proposed harvest 

specifications. After receiving the 

Rockfish Program applications, NMFS 

will calculate the 2025 allocations for 

CV and CP cooperatives, as set forth in 

§ 679.81(b), (c), and (e). NMFS will 

announce the 2025 allocations after 

March 1 and post these allocations on 

the Alaska Region website at https://

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/ 

sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheriesmanagement-reports#central-goarockfish. 

TABLE 8—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA

TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY AND ROCKFISH COOPERATIVES IN THE ROCKFISH PROGRAM

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Rockfish primary species Central GOA 

TAC 

Incidental 

catch 

allowance 

(ICA) 

TAC minus 

ICA 

Allocation 

to the 

entry level 

longline 1fishery 

Allocation to 

the rockfish 

cooperatives 2

Pacific ocean perch ............................................................ 27,768 3,500 24,268 5 24,263 

Northern rockfish ................................................................ 2,200 300 1,900 5 1,895 

Dusky rockfish .................................................................... 6,979 250 6,729 50 6,679 


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TABLE 8—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 ALLOCATIONS OF ROCKFISH PRIMARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF ALASKA

TO THE ENTRY LEVEL LONGLINE FISHERY AND ROCKFISH COOPERATIVES IN THE ROCKFISH PROGRAM—Continued 

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Rockfish primary species Central GOA 

TAC 

Incidental 

catch 

allowance 

(ICA) 

TAC minus 

ICA 

Allocation 

to the 

entry level 

longline 1fishery 

Allocation to 

the rockfish 

cooperatives 2

Total ............................................................................. 36,947 4,050 32,897 60 32,837 

1 Longline gear includes hook-and-line, jig, troll, and handline gear (50 CFR 679.2). 

2 Rockfish cooperatives include vessels in CV and CP cooperatives (50 CFR 679.81). 

Section 679.81(c) and table 28c to 50 

CFR part 679 require allocations of 

rockfish secondary species to CV and CP 

cooperatives in the Central GOA. CV 

cooperatives receive allocations of 

Pacific cod, sablefish from the trawl gear 

allocation, and thornyhead rockfish. CP 

cooperatives receive allocations of 

sablefish from the trawl gear allocation, 

rougheye and blackspotted rockfish, 

shortraker rockfish, and thornyhead 

rockfish. Table 9 lists the 

apportionments of the proposed 2025 

and 2026 TACs of rockfish secondary 

species in the Central GOA to CV and 

CP cooperatives. 

TABLE 9—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 APPORTIONMENTS OF ROCKFISH SECONDARY SPECIES IN THE CENTRAL GOA TO

CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR COOPERATIVES

[Values are in metric tons] 

Rockfish secondary species Central GOA 

annual TAC 

Catcher Vessel 

cooperatives 

Catcher/Processor 

cooperatives 

Percentage of 

TAC 

Apportionment 

(mt) 

Percentage of 

TAC 

Apportionment 

(mt) 

Pacific cod ............................................................................ 13,486 3.81 514 N/A N/A 

Sablefish .............................................................................. 9,693 6.78 657 3.51 340 

Shortraker rockfish ............................................................... 189 n/a n/a 40 76 

Rougheye and blackspotted rockfish ................................... 317 n/a n/a 58.87 187 

Thornyhead rockfish ............................................................ 693 7.84 54 26.5 184 

Halibut PSC Limits 

Section 679.21(d) establishes annual 

halibut PSC limit apportionments of 

1,705 mt for trawl gear, 256 mt for hookand-line gear, and 9 mt for the demersal 

shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery in the SEO 

District. It also authorizes the 

establishment of apportionments for pot 

gear. 

The DSR fishery in the SEO District 

is defined at § 679.21(d)(2)(ii)(A). This 

fishery is apportioned 9 mt of the 

halibut PSC limit in recognition of its 

small-scale harvests of groundfish 

(§ 679.21(d)(2)(i)(A)). The separate 

halibut PSC limit for the DSR fishery is 

intended to prevent that fishery from 

being impacted from the halibut PSC 

incurred by other GOA fisheries. NMFS 

estimates low halibut bycatch in the 

DSR fishery because (1) the duration of 

the DSR fishery and the gear soak times 

are short, (2) the DSR fishery occurs in 

the winter when there is less overlap in 

the distribution of DSR and halibut, and 

(3) the directed commercial DSR fishery 

has a low DSR TAC. The Alaska 

Department of Fish and Game sets the 

commercial GHL for the DSR fishery 

after deducting (1) estimates of DSR 

incidental catch in all fisheries 

(including halibut and subsistence); and 

(2) the allocation to the DSR sport fish 

fishery. In 2024, the commercial fishery 

for DSR was closed due to concerns 

about declining DSR biomass. 

NMFS, after consultation with the 

Council, proposes to exempt pot gear, 

jig gear, and the sablefish IFQ fixed gear 

fishery categories from the non-trawl 

halibut PSC limit for 2025 and 2026. 

The Council recommended and NMFS 

proposes these exemptions because (1) 

pot gear fisheries have low annual 

halibut bycatch mortality; (2) IFQ 

program regulations prohibit discard of 

halibut if any halibut IFQ permit holder 

on board a CV holds unused halibut IFQ 

for that vessel category and the IFQ 

regulatory area in which the vessel is 

operating (§ 679.7(f)(11)); (3) some 

sablefish IFQ permit holders hold 

halibut IFQ permits and are therefore 

required to retain the halibut they catch 

while fishing sablefish IFQ; and (4) 

NMFS estimates negligible halibut 

mortality for the jig gear fisheries given 

the small amount of groundfish 

harvested by jig gear, the selective 

nature of jig gear, and the high survival 

rates of halibut caught and released with 

jig gear. 

The best available information on 

estimated halibut bycatch consists of 

data collected by fisheries observers 

during 2024. The calculated halibut 

bycatch mortality through October 31, 

2024, is 337 mt for trawl gear and 25 mt 

for hook-and-line gear, for a total halibut 

mortality of 362 mt. This halibut 

mortality was calculated using 

groundfish and IFQ halibut catch data 

from the NMFS Alaska Region’s catch 

accounting system. This accounting 

system contains historical and recent 

catch information compiled from each 

Alaska groundfish and IFQ halibut 

fishery. 

Section 679.21(d)(4)(i) and (ii) 

authorizes NMFS to seasonally 

apportion the halibut PSC limits after 

consultation with the Council. The FMP 

and regulations require that the Council 

and NMFS consider the following 

information in seasonally apportioning 

halibut PSC limits: (1) seasonal 

distribution of halibut, (2) seasonal 

distribution of target groundfish species 

relative to halibut distribution, (3) 

expected halibut bycatch needs on a 

seasonal basis relative to changes in 

halibut biomass and expected catch of 

target groundfish species, (4) expected 

bycatch rates on a seasonal basis, (5) 


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expected changes in directed groundfish 

fishing seasons, (6) expected actual start 

of fishing effort, and (7) economic 

effects of establishing seasonal halibut 

allocations on segments of the target 

groundfish industry. 

The final 2024 and 2025 harvest 

specifications (89 FR 15484, March 4, 

2024) list the final seasonal 

apportionments based on the FMP and 

regulatory considerations with respect 

to halibut PSC limits. The Council’s 

recommendations and NMFS’s 

proposed seasonal apportionments for 

these proposed 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications are unchanged from the 

final 2024 and 2025 harvest 

specifications. Based on public 

comment, information presented in the 

2024 SAFE report, NMFS catch data, 

State catch data, and International 

Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) 

stock assessment and mortality data, the 

Council may recommend and/or NMFS 

may make changes to the seasonal, geartype, or fishery category apportionments 

of halibut PSC limits for the final 2025 

and 2026 harvest specifications 

pursuant to § 679.21(d)(1) and (d)(4). 

Table 10 lists the proposed 2025 and 

2026 Pacific halibut PSC limits, 

allowances, and apportionments. The 

halibut PSC limits in tables 10, 11, and 

12 reflect the halibut PSC limits set 

forth at § 679.21(d)(2) and (3). Section 

679.21(d)(4)(iii) and (iv) specifies that 

any underages or overages of a seasonal 

apportionment of a halibut PSC limit 

will be added to or deducted from the 

next respective seasonal apportionment 

within the fishing year. 

TABLE 10—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS, ALLOWANCES, AND APPORTIONMENTS

[Values are in metric tons] 

Trawl gear Hook-and-line gear 1

Season Percent Amount 

Other than DSR DSR 

Season Percent Amount Season Amount 

January 20–April 1 .............. 30.5 520 January 1–June 10 ............. 86 220 January 1–December 31 .... 9 

April 1–July 1 ...................... 20 341 June 10–September 1 ........ 2 5 ............................................. ..............

July 1–August 1 .................. 27 460 September 1–December 31 12 31 ............................................. ..............

August 1–October 1 ............ 7.5 128 ............................................. .............. .............. ............................................. ..............

October 1–December 31 ..... 15 256 ............................................. .............. .............. ............................................. ..............

Total ............................. .............. 1,705 ............................................. .............. 256 ............................................. 9 

1The Pacific halibut prohibited species catch (PSC) limit for hook-and-line gear is allocated to the demersal shelf rockfish (DSR) fishery in the 

SEO District and to hook-and-line fisheries other than the DSR fishery. The Council recommended, and NMFS proposes, that the fixed gear sablefish IFQ fishery, and the pot and jig gear groundfish fisheries, be exempt from halibut PSC limits. 

Section 679.21(d)(3)(ii) authorizes 

further apportionment of the trawl 

halibut PSC limit as bycatch allowances 

to trawl fishery categories listed in 

§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii). The annual 

apportionments are based on each 

category’s share of the anticipated 

halibut bycatch mortality during a 

fishing year and optimization of the 

total amount of groundfish harvest 

under the halibut PSC limit. The fishery 

categories for the trawl halibut PSC 

limits are (1) a deep-water species 

fishery composed of sablefish, rockfish, 

deep-water flatfish, rex sole, and 

arrowtooth flounder; and (2) a shallowwater species fishery composed of 

pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water 

flatfish, flathead sole, Atka mackerel, 

skates, and ‘‘other species’’ (sharks and 

octopuses) (§ 679.21(d)(3)(iii)). Halibut 

mortality incurred while directed 

fishing for skates with trawl gear 

accrues towards the shallow-water 

species fishery halibut PSC limit (69 FR 

26320, May 12, 2004). 

NMFS will combine available trawl 

halibut PSC limit apportionments in 

part of the second season deep-water 

and shallow-water species fisheries for 

use in either fishery from May 15 

through June 30 (§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(D)). 

This is intended to maintain groundfish 

harvest while minimizing halibut 

bycatch by these sectors to the extent 

practicable. This provides the trawl gear 

deep-water and shallow-water species 

fisheries additional flexibility and the 

incentive to participate in fisheries at 

times of the year that may have lower 

halibut PSC rates relative to other times 

of the year. 

Table 11 lists the proposed 2025 and 

2026 seasonal apportionments of trawl 

halibut PSC limits between the trawl 

gear deep-water and the shallow-water 

species fisheries. 

Table 28d to 50 CFR part 679 specifies 

the amount of the trawl halibut PSC 

limit that is assigned to the CV and CP 

sectors that are participating in the 

Central GOA Rockfish Program. This 

includes 117 mt of halibut PSC limit to 

the CV sector and 74 mt of halibut PSC 

limit to the CP sector. These amounts 

are allocated from the trawl deep-water 

species fishery’s halibut PSC third 

seasonal apportionment. After the 

combined CV and CP halibut PSC limit 

allocation of 191 mt to the Rockfish 

Program, 149 mt remains for the trawl 

deep-water species fishery’s halibut PSC 

third seasonal apportionment. 

Section 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(B) limits the 

amount of the halibut PSC limit 

allocated to Rockfish Program 

participants that could be reapportioned to the general GOA trawl 

fisheries for the last seasonal 

apportionment during the current 

fishing year to no more than 55 percent 

of the unused annual halibut PSC limit 

apportioned to Rockfish Program 

participants. The remainder of the 

unused Rockfish Program halibut PSC 

limit is unavailable for use by any 

person for the remainder of the fishing 

year (§ 679.21(d)(4)(iii)(C)). 

TABLE 11—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 APPORTIONMENT OF THE PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS BETWEEN THE TRAWL

GEAR SHALLOW-WATER AND DEEP-WATER SPECIES FISHERY CATEGORIES

[Values are in metric tons] 

Season Shallow-water Deep-water 1 Total 

January 20–April 1 ..................................................................................................... 385 135 520 


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TABLE 11—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 APPORTIONMENT OF THE PACIFIC HALIBUT PSC LIMITS BETWEEN THE TRAWL

GEAR SHALLOW-WATER AND DEEP-WATER SPECIES FISHERY CATEGORIES—Continued 

[Values are in metric tons] 

Season Shallow-water Deep-water 1 Total 

April 1–July 1 ............................................................................................................. 85 256 341 

July 1–August 1 ......................................................................................................... 120 340 460 

August 1–October 1 ................................................................................................... 53 75 128 

Subtotal, January 20–October 1 ........................................................................ 643 806 1,449 

October 1–December 312 .......................................................................................... n/a n/a 256 

Total ............................................................................................................. n/a n/a 1,705

1Vessels participating in cooperatives in the Central GOA Rockfish Program will receive 191 mt of the third season (July 1 through August 1) 

deep-water species fishery halibut PSC apportionment. 2There is no apportionment between trawl shallow-water and deep-water species fishery categories during the fifth season (October 1 through 

December 31). 

Section 679.21(d)(2)(i)(B) requires that 

the halibut PSC limit apportionment to 

vessels using hook-and-line gear that are 

not part of the demersal shelf rockfish 

fishery (i.e. the other hook-and-line 

fishery) must be apportioned between 

CVs and CPs in accordance with 

§ 679.21(d)(2)(iii) in conjunction with 

these harvest specifications. A 

comprehensive description and example 

of the calculations necessary to 

apportion the other hook-and-line 

fishery halibut PSC limit between the 

hook-and-line CV and CP sectors were 

included in the proposed rule to 

implement amendment 83 to the FMP 

(76 FR 44700, July 26, 2011) and are not 

repeated here. 

Pursuant to § 679.21(d)(2)(iii), the 

halibut PSC limit for the other hookand-line fishery is apportioned between 

the CV and CP sectors in proportion to 

the total Western and Central GOA 

Pacific cod allocations, which vary 

annually based on the proportion of the 

Pacific cod biomass between the 

Western, Central, and Eastern GOA. 

Pacific cod is apportioned among these 

three management areas based on the 

percentage of overall biomass per area 

as calculated in the 2023 Pacific cod 

stock assessment. Information in the 

final 2023 SAFE report describes this 

distributional calculation, which 

allocates ABC among GOA regulatory 

areas on the basis of the three most 

recent stock surveys. For 2025 and 2026, 

the proposed distribution of the total 

GOA Pacific cod ABC is 27.1 percent to 

the Western GOA, 63.8 percent to the 

Central GOA, and 9.1 percent to the 

Eastern GOA. Therefore, the 

calculations made in accordance with 

§ 679.21(d)(2)(iii) incorporate the most 

recent information on GOA Pacific cod 

distribution and allocations with respect 

to the proposed annual halibut PSC 

limits for the CV and CP hook-and-line 

sectors. The calculations for the final 

2025 and 2026 harvest specifications 

will use updated information on the 

distribution of Pacific cod from the 

Pacific cod stock assessment in the 2024 

SAFE report. Additionally, the annual 

halibut PSC limits for both the CV and 

CP sectors of the other hook-and-line 

fishery are proposed to be divided into 

three seasonal apportionments, using 

seasonal percentages of 86 percent, 2 

percent, and 12 percent. 

For 2025 and 2026, NMFS proposes 

annual halibut PSC limits of 149 mt and 

107 mt to the hook-and-line CV and 

hook-and-line CP sectors, respectively. 

Table 12 lists the proposed 2025 and 

2026 apportionments of halibut PSC 

limits between the hook-and-line CV 

and the hook-and-line CP sectors of the 

other hook-and-line fishery. 

No later than November 1 of each 

year, NMFS will calculate the projected 

unused amount of halibut PSC limit by 

either of the CV or CP hook-and-line 

sectors of the other hook-and-line 

fishery for the remainder of the year. 

The projected unused amount of halibut 

PSC limit is made available to the other 

hook-and-line sector for the remainder 

of that fishing year 

(§ 679.21(d)(2)(iii)(C)) if NMFS 

determines that an additional amount of 

halibut PSC is necessary for that sector 

to continue its directed fishing 

operations. 

TABLE 12—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 APPORTIONMENTS OF THE ‘‘OTHER HOOK-AND-LINE FISHERY’’ ANNUAL HALIBUT

PSC ALLOWANCE BETWEEN THE HOOK-AND-LINE GEAR CATCHER VESSEL AND CATCHER/PROCESSOR SECTORS

[Values are in metric tons] 

‘‘Other than DSR’’ 

allowance Hook-and-line sector Sector annual amount Season Seasonal percentage 

Sector seasonal 

amount 

256 .................................. Catcher Vessel ............... 149 January 1–June 10 ......... 86 128 

June 10–September 1 .... 2 3 

September 1–December 

31.

12 18 

.

Catcher/Processor .......... 107 January 1–June 10 ......... 86 92 

June 10–September 1 .... 2 2 

September 1–December 

31.

12 13 

Halibut Discard Mortality Rates (DMR) 

To monitor halibut bycatch mortality 

allowances and apportionments, the 

Regional Administrator uses observed 

halibut incidental catch rates, halibut 

DMR, and estimates of groundfish catch 

to project when a fishery’s halibut 

bycatch mortality allowance or seasonal 

apportionment is reached. Halibut 


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incidental catch rates are based on 

observed estimates of halibut incidental 

catch in the groundfish fishery. DMRs 

are estimates of the proportion of 

incidentally caught halibut that do not 

survive after being returned to the sea. 

The cumulative halibut mortality that 

accrues to a particular halibut PSC limit 

is the product of a DMR multiplied by 

the estimated halibut PSC. DMRs are 

estimated using the best scientific 

information available in conjunction 

with the annual GOA stock assessment 

process. The DMR methodology and 

findings are included as an appendix to 

the annual GOA groundfish SAFE 

report. 

In 2016, the DMR estimation 

methodology underwent revisions per 

the Council’s recommendation. An 

interagency halibut working group 

(IPHC, Council, and NMFS staff) 

developed improved estimation 

methods that have undergone review by 

the Plan Team, the SSC, and the 

Council. A summary of the revised 

methodology is contained in the GOA 

proposed 2017 and 2018 harvest 

specifications (81 FR 87881, December 

6, 2016), and the comprehensive 

discussion of the working group’s 

statistical methodology is available from 

the Council (see ADDRESSES). The DMR 

working group’s revised methodology is 

intended to improve estimation 

accuracy, transparency, and 

transferability for calculating DMRs. 

The working group will continue to 

consider improvements to the 

methodology used to calculate halibut 

mortality, including potential changes 

to the reference period (the period of 

data used for calculating the DMRs). 

Future DMRs may change based on 

additional years of observer sampling, 

which could provide more recent and 

accurate data and which could improve 

the accuracy of estimation and progress 

on methodology. The methodology will 

continue to ensure that NMFS is using 

DMRs that more accurately reflect 

halibut mortality, which will inform the 

different sectors of their estimated 

halibut mortality and allow specific 

sectors to respond with methods that 

could reduce mortality and, eventually, 

the DMR for that sector. 

In October 2024, the Council 

recommended halibut DMRs reviewed 

by the Plan Team and SSC, which are 

derived from the revised methodology. 

The proposed 2025 and 2026 DMRs use 

an updated 2-year and 4-year reference 

period depending on data availability. 

NMFS is proposing the DMRs 

recommended by the Plan Team, 

reviewed by the SSC, and recommended 

by the Council for the proposed 2025 

and 2026 DMRs. The proposed DMR for 

pelagic trawl gear CVs and CPs is 

maintained at 100 percent. The 

proposed DMR for Rockfish Program 

CVs using non-pelagic trawl gear is 

maintained at 56 percent. The proposed 

DMR for non-Rockfish Program CVs 

using non-pelagic trawl gear increased 

to 74 percent from 69 percent. The 

proposed DMR for motherships and CPs 

using non-pelagic trawl gear decreased 

to 76 percent from 83 percent. The 

proposed DMR for CPs using hook-andline gear decreased to 10 percent from 

11 percent. The proposed DMR for CVs 

using hook-and-line gear increased to 19 

percent from 10 percent. The proposed 

DMR for CPs and CVs using pot gear 

increased to 32 percent from 26 percent. 

Table 13 lists the proposed 2025 and 

2026 DMRs. 

TABLE 13–PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 HALIBUT DISCARD MORTALITY RATES FOR VESSELS FISHING IN THE GULF OF

ALASKA

[Values are percent of halibut assumed to be dead] 

Gear Sector Groundfish fishery 

Halibut discard 

mortality rate 

(percent) 

Pelagic trawl ........................................... Catcher vessel ...................................... All .......................................................... 100 

Catcher/processor ................................. All .......................................................... 100 

Non-pelagic trawl ................................... Catcher vessel ...................................... Rockfish Program .................................. 56 

Catcher vessel ...................................... All others ............................................... 74 

Mothership and catcher/processor ........ All .......................................................... 76 

Hook-and-line ......................................... Catcher/processor ................................. All .......................................................... 10 

Catcher vessel ...................................... All .......................................................... 19 

Pot .......................................................... Catcher vessel and catcher/processor All .......................................................... 32 

Chinook Salmon PSC Limits 

Section 679.21(h)(2) establishes 

separate Chinook salmon PSC limits in 

the Western and Central Regulatory 

Areas of the GOA in the trawl pollock 

directed fishery. These limits require 

that NMFS close directed fishing for 

pollock in the Western and Central GOA 

if the applicable Chinook salmon PSC 

limit is reached (§ 679.21(h)(8)). The 

annual Chinook salmon PSC limits in 

the trawl pollock directed fishery of 

6,684 salmon in the Western GOA and 

18,316 salmon in the Central GOA are 

set in § 679.21(h)(2)(i) and (ii). The 

Central GOA Chinook salmon PSC limit 

was reached in 2024 and NMFS closed 

directed fishing for pollock in the 

Central GOA on September 25, 2024, for 

the remainder of the 2024 fishing year 

(89 FR 79454). 

Section 679.21(h)(3) and (4) 

establishes an initial annual PSC limit 

of 7,500 Chinook salmon for the nonpollock groundfish trawl fisheries in the 

Western and Central GOA. This limit is 

apportioned among the three sectors 

that conduct directed fishing for 

groundfish species other than pollock: 

3,600 Chinook salmon to trawl CPs; 

1,200 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs 

participating in the Rockfish Program; 

and 2,700 Chinook salmon to trawl CVs 

not participating in the Rockfish 

Program (§ 679.21(h)(4)). NMFS will 

monitor the Chinook salmon PSC in the 

trawl non-pollock GOA groundfish 

fisheries and close an applicable sector 

if it reaches its Chinook salmon PSC 

limit. 

The Chinook salmon PSC limit for 

two sectors, trawl CPs and trawl CVs not 

participating in the Rockfish Program, 

may be increased in subsequent years 

based on the performance of these two 

sectors and their ability to minimize 

their use of their respective Chinook 

salmon PSC limits. If either or both of 

these two sectors limit its use of 

Chinook salmon PSC to a certain 

threshold amount in 2024 (3,120 for 

trawl CPs and 2,340 for non-Rockfish 

Program trawl CVs), that sector will 

receive an incremental increase to its 

2025 Chinook salmon PSC limit (4,080 

for trawl CPs and 3,060 for non-Rockfish 

Program trawl CVs) (§ 679.21(h)(4)). 

NMFS will evaluate the annual Chinook 


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salmon PSC by trawl CPs and nonRockfish Program trawl CVs when the 

2024 fishing year is complete to 

determine whether to increase the 

Chinook salmon PSC limits for these 

two sectors. Based on preliminary 2024 

Chinook salmon PSC data, the trawl CP 

sector may receive an incremental 

increase of Chinook salmon PSC limit in 

2025, and the non-Rockfish Program 

trawl CV sector may receive an 

incremental increase of Chinook salmon 

PSC limit in 2025. This evaluation will 

be completed in conjunction with the 

final 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications. 

American Fisheries Act (AFA) CP and 

CV Groundfish Harvest and PSC Limits 

Section 679.64 establishes groundfish 

harvesting and processing sideboard 

limits on AFA CPs and CVs in the GOA. 

These sideboard limits are necessary to 

protect the interests of fishermen and 

processors who do not directly benefit 

from the AFA from those fishermen and 

processors who receive exclusive 

harvesting and processing privileges 

under the AFA. Section 679.7(k)(1)(ii) 

prohibits listed AFA CPs and CPs 

designated on a listed AFA CP permit 

from harvesting any species of fish in 

the GOA. Additionally, § 679.7(k)(1)(iv) 

prohibits listed AFA CPs and CPs 

designated on a listed AFA CP permit 

from processing any pollock harvested 

in a directed pollock fishery in the GOA 

and any groundfish harvested in 

Statistical Area 630 of the GOA. 

AFA CVs that are less than 125 feet 

(38.1 meters) length overall, have 

annual landings of pollock in the Bering 

Sea and Aleutian Islands of less than 

5,100 mt, and have made at least 40 

landings of GOA groundfish from 1995 

through 1997 are exempt from GOA CV 

groundfish sideboard limits under 

§ 679.64(b)(2)(ii). Sideboard limits for 

non-exempt AFA CVs in the GOA are 

based on their traditional harvest levels 

of TAC in groundfish fisheries covered 

by the FMP. Section 679.64(b)(3)(iv) 

establishes the CV groundfish sideboard 

limits in the GOA based on the 

aggregate retained catch by non-exempt 

AFA CVs of each sideboard species from 

2009 through 2019 divided by the TAC 

for that species available to CVs from 

2009 through 2019. Under the Pacific 

Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program, 

NMFS modified the calculation of the 

sideboard ratios for non-exempt AFA 

CVs using the qualifying years of 2009 

through 2019 (88 FR 53704, August 8, 

2023). Previously, sideboard limits were 

based on the ratio of catch to the TAC 

during the years 1995 through 1997. 

NMFS published a final rule (84 FR 

2723, February 8, 2019) that 

implemented regulations to prohibit 

non-exempt AFA CVs from directed 

fishing for specific groundfish species or 

species groups subject to sideboard 

limits (§ 679.20(d)(1)(iv)(D) and table 56 

to 50 CFR part 679). Under the PCTC 

Program, NMFS also promulgated 

regulations to prohibit non-exempt AFA 

CVs from directed fishing for additional 

groundfish species or species groups 

subject to sideboard limits (88 FR 

53704, August 8, 2023). All of these 

prohibitions are found in the revised 

table 56 to 50 CFR part 679. Sideboard 

limits not subject to these final rules 

continue to be calculated and included 

in the GOA annual harvest 

specifications. 

Table 14 lists the proposed 2025 and 

2026 groundfish sideboard limits for 

non-exempt AFA CVs. NMFS will 

deduct all targeted or incidental catch of 

sideboard species made by non-exempt 

AFA CVs from the sideboard limits 

listed in table 14. 

TABLE 14—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 GOA NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) 

GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Species Apportionments by season/gear Area/component 

Ratio of 2009– 

2019 non-exempt AFA CV 

retained catch 

to 2009–2019 

TAC 

Proposed 2025 

and 2026 TACs 

Proposed 2025 

and 2026 nonexempt AFA CV 

sideboard limit 

Pollock ...................... A Season: January 20–May 31 ................ Shumagin (610) ...... 0.057 4,483 256 

Chirikof (620) .......... 0.064 58,629 3752 

Kodiak (630) ............ 0.091 11,460 1043 

B Season: September 1–November 1 ..... Shumagin (610) ...... 0.057 27,661 1577 

Chirikof (620) .......... 0.064 16,550 1059 

Kodiak (630) ............ 0.091 30,361 2763 

Annual ....................................................... WYK (640) .............. 0.026 4,601 120 

Pacific cod ................ A Season: 1 January 1–June 10 ............... W ............................. 0.009 3,406 31 

C .............................. 0.011 8,641 95 

B Season: 2 September 1–December 31 W ............................. 0.009 1,941 17 

C .............................. 0.011 4,845 53 

Flatfish, shallow-wter Annual ....................................................... C .............................. 0.011 28,311 311 

Rex sole .................... Annual ....................................................... C .............................. 0.014 13,624 191 

Arrowtooth flounder .. Annual ....................................................... C .............................. 0.011 64,688 712 

Flathead sole ............ Annual ....................................................... C .............................. 0.007 21,702 152 

1The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. 

2The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. 


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Non-Exempt AFA CV Halibut PSC Limit 

The non-exempt AFA CVs and the 

associated LLP licenses PSC limit for 

halibut in the GOA will be an annual 

amount based on a static ratio of 0.072, 

which was derived from the aggregate 

retained groundfish catch by nonexempt AFA CVs in each PSC target 

category from 2009 through 2019 

(§ 679.64(b)(4)(ii)). This change was 

implemented with the PCTC Program 

(88 FR 53704, August 8, 2023). Table 15 

lists the proposed 2025 and 2026 nonexempt AFA CV halibut PSC sideboard 

limit for vessels using trawl gear in the 

GOA. 

TABLE 15—PROPOSED 2025 AND

2026 NON-EXEMPT AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CATCHER VESSEL (CV) 

HALIBUT PSC SIDEBOARD LIMITS

Ratio 

(percent) 

Annual trawl 

gear halibut 

PSC limit 

(mt) 

Annual 

non-exempt 

AFA CV 

halibut 

PSC limit 

(mt) 

0.072 ......... 1,705 123 

Non-AFA Crab Vessel Groundfish 

Harvest Limitations 

Section 680.22 establishes groundfish 

sideboard limits for vessels with a 

history of participation in the Bering 

Sea snow crab fishery to prevent these 

vessels from using the increased 

flexibility provided by the Crab 

Rationalization (CR) Program to expand 

their level of participation in the GOA 

groundfish fisheries. Sideboard harvest 

limits restrict these vessels’ catch to 

their collective historical landings in 

each GOA groundfish fishery (except 

the fixed-gear sablefish fishery). 

Sideboard limits also apply to landings 

made using an LLP license derived from 

the history of a restricted vessel, even if 

that LLP license is used on another 

vessel. 

The basis for these sideboard harvest 

limits is described in detail in the final 

rules implementing the major 

provisions of the CR Program, including 

amendments 18 and 19 to the Fishery 

Management Plan for Bering Sea/ 

Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs 

(Crab FMP) (70 FR 10174, March 2, 

2005), amendment 34 to the Crab FMP 

(76 FR 35772, June 20, 2011), 

amendment 83 to the GOA FMP (76 FR 

74670, December 1, 2011), and 

amendment 45 to the Crab FMP (80 FR 

28539, May 19, 2015). Also, NMFS 

published a final rule (84 FR 2723, 

February 8, 2019) that implemented 

regulations to prohibit non-AFA crab 

vessels from directed fishing for all 

groundfish species or species groups 

subject to sideboard limits, except for 

Pacific cod apportioned to CVs using 

pot gear in the Western and Central 

Regulatory Areas (§ 680.22(e)(1)(iii)). 

Accordingly, the GOA annual harvest 

specifications include only the nonAFA crab vessel groundfish sideboard 

limits for Pacific cod apportioned to 

CVs using pot gear in the Western and 

Central Regulatory Areas. 

Table 16 lists the proposed 2025 and 

2026 groundfish sideboard limits for 

non-AFA crab vessels. All targeted or 

incidental catch of sideboard species 

made by non-AFA crab vessels or 

associated LLP licenses will be 

deducted from these sideboard limits. 

TABLE 16—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 GOA NON-AMERICAN FISHERIES ACT CRAB VESSEL GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD

LIMITS

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Species Season Area/gear 

Ratio of 

1996–2000 

non-AFA 

crab vessel 

catch to 

1996–2000 

total harvest 

Proposed 

2025 and 2026 

TACs 

Proposed 

2025 and 

2026 non-AFA 

crab vessel 

sideboard 

limit 

Pacific cod ............... A Season: January 1–June 10 ............... Western Pot CV ..... 0.0997 3,406 340 

Central Pot CV ....... 0.0474 8,641 410 

B Season: September 1–December 31 .. Western Pot CV ..... 0.0997 1,941 193 

Central Pot CV ....... 0.0474 4,845 230 

Rockfish Program Groundfish Sideboard 

and Halibut PSC Limitations 

The Rockfish Program establishes 

three classes of sideboard provisions: 

CV groundfish sideboard restrictions, 

CP rockfish sideboard restrictions, and 

CP opt-out vessel sideboard restrictions 

(§ 679.82(c)(1)). These sideboards are 

intended to limit the ability of rockfish 

harvesters to expand into other 

fisheries. 

CVs participating in the Rockfish 

Program may not participate in directed 

fishing for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean 

perch, and northern rockfish in the 

Western GOA and WYK District from 

July 1 through July 31. Also, CVs may 

not participate in directed fishing for 

arrowtooth flounder, deep-water 

flatfish, and rex sole in the GOA from 

July 1 through July 31 (§ 679.82(d)). 

Prior to 2021, CPs participating in 

Rockfish Program cooperatives were 

restricted by rockfish sideboard limits in 

the Western GOA. A final rule that 

implemented amendment 111 to the 

FMP (86 FR 11895, March 1, 2021) 

removed Western GOA rockfish 

sideboard limits for Rockfish Program 

CPs from regulation. That rule also 

revised and clarified the establishment 

of WYK District rockfish sideboard 

ratios in regulation, rather than 

specifying the WYK District rockfish 

sideboard ratios in the annual GOA 

harvest specifications. 

CPs participating in Rockfish Program 

cooperatives are restricted by rockfish 

and halibut PSC sideboard limits. These 

CPs are prohibited from directed fishing 

for dusky rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, 

and northern rockfish in the Western 

GOA and WYK District from July 1 

through July 31 (§ 679.82(e)(2)). The 

sideboard ratio for each rockfish fishery 

in the WYK District is set forth in 

§ 679.82(e)(4). The rockfish sideboard 

ratio for each rockfish fishery in the 

WYK District is an established 

percentage of the TAC for CPs in the 

directed fishery for dusky rockfish and 

Pacific ocean perch. These percentages 

are confidential. Holders of CPdesignated LLP licenses that opt out of 

participating in a Rockfish Program 

cooperative will be able to access that 

portion of each rockfish sideboard limits 

that is not assigned to Rockfish Program 

cooperatives (§ 679.82(e)(7)). 

Under the Rockfish Program, the CP 

sector is subject to halibut PSC 


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sideboard limits for the trawl deepwater and shallow-water species 

fisheries from July 1 through July 31 

(§ 679.82(e)(3) and (e)(5)). Halibut PSC 

sideboard ratios by fishery are set forth 

in § 679.82(e)(5). No halibut PSC 

sideboard limits apply to the CV sector, 

as vessels participating in a rockfish 

cooperative receive a portion of the 

annual halibut PSC limit. CPs that opt 

out of the Rockfish Program would be 

able to access that portion of the deepwater and shallow-water halibut PSC 

sideboard limit not assigned to CP 

rockfish cooperatives. The sideboard 

provisions for CPs that elect to opt out 

of participating in a rockfish cooperative 

are described in § 679.82(c), (e), and (f). 

Sideboard limits are linked to the catch 

history of specific vessels that may 

choose to opt out. After March 1, NMFS 

will determine which CPs have optedout of the Rockfish Program in 2025 and 

will know the ratios and amounts used 

to calculate opt-out sideboard ratios. 

NMFS will then calculate any 

applicable opt-out sideboard limits for 

2025. NMFS will announce the 2025 

opt-out sideboard limits after March 1 

and post these limits on the Alaska 

Region website at https://

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/ 

sustainable-fisheries/alaska-fisheriesmanagement-reports#central-goarockfish. Table 17 lists the proposed 

2025 and 2026 Rockfish Program halibut 

PSC sideboard limits for the CP sector. 

TABLE 17—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 ROCKFISH PROGRAM HALIBUT PSC SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR THE CATCHER/ 

PROCESSOR SECTOR

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Sector 

Shallow-water 

species fishery 

halibut PSC 

sideboard ratio 

(percent) 

Deep-water 

species fishery 

halibut PSC 

sideboard ratio 

(percent) 

Annual trawl 

gear halibut 

PSC limit 

(mt) 

Annual 

shallow-water 

species 

fishery halibut 

PSC 

sideboard 

limit 

(mt) 

Annual deepwater species 

fishery halibut 

PSC 

sideboard 

limit 

(mt) 

Catcher/processor ................................................................ 0.1 2.5 1,705 2 43 

Amendment 80 Program Groundfish 

and PSC Sideboard Limits 

Amendment 80 to the Fishery 

Management Plan for Groundfish of the 

Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 

Management Area (Amendment 80 

Program) established a limited access 

privilege program for the non-AFA trawl 

CP sector. The Amendment 80 Program 

established groundfish and halibut PSC 

limits for Amendment 80 Program 

participants to limit their ability to 

expand their harvest efforts in the GOA. 

Section 679.92 establishes groundfish 

harvesting sideboard limits on all 

Amendment 80 Program vessels, other 

than the F/V Golden Fleece, to amounts 

no greater than the limits shown in table 

37 to 50 CFR part 679. Under 

§ 679.92(d), the F/V Golden Fleece is 

prohibited from directed fishing for 

pollock, Pacific cod, Pacific ocean 

perch, dusky rockfish, and northern 

rockfish in the GOA. 

Groundfish sideboard limits for 

Amendment 80 Program vessels 

operating in the GOA are based on their 

average aggregate harvests from 1998 

through 2004 (72 FR 52668, September 

14, 2007). Table 18 lists the proposed 

2025 and 2026 groundfish sideboard 

limits for Amendment 80 Program 

vessels. NMFS will deduct all targeted 

or incidental catch of sideboard species 

made by Amendment 80 Program 

vessels from the sideboard limits in 

table 18. 

TABLE 18—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 GOA GROUNDFISH SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Species Season Area 

Ratio of 

Amendment 80 

sector vessels 

1998–2004 

catch to TAC 

Proposed 2025 

and 2026 TAC 

(mt) 

Proposed 2025 

and 2026 

Amendment 80 

vessel 

sideboard limits 

(mt) 

Pollock ...................... A Season: January 20–May 31 ................ Shumagin (610) ...... 0.003 4,483 13 

Chirikof (620) .......... 0.002 58,629 117 

Kodiak (630) ............ 0.002 11,460 23 

B Season: September 1–November 1 ..... Shumagin (610) ...... 0.003 27,661 83 

Chirikof (620) .......... 0.002 16,550 33 

Kodiak (630) ............ 0.002 30,361 61 

Annual ....................................................... WYK (640) .............. 0.002 4,601 9 

Pacific cod ................ A Season: 1 January 1–June 10 ............... W ............................. 0.02 3,406 68 

C .............................. 0.044 8,641 380 

B Season: 2 September 1–December 31 W ............................. 0.02 1,941 39 

C .............................. 0.044 4,845 213 

Annual ....................................................... WYK ........................ 0.034 1,924 65 

Pacific ocean perch .. Annual ....................................................... W ............................. 0.994 1,726 1,716 

WYK ........................ 0.961 2,038 1,959 

Northern rockfish ...... Annual ....................................................... W ............................. 1 2,446 2,446

Dusky rockfish .......... Annual ....................................................... W ............................. 0.764 137 105 

WYK ........................ 0.896 81 73 

1The Pacific cod A season for trawl gear does not open until January 20. 


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2The Pacific cod B season for trawl gear closes November 1. 

The halibut PSC sideboard limits for 

Amendment 80 Program vessels in the 

GOA are based on the historical use of 

halibut PSC by Amendment 80 Program 

vessels in each PSC target category from 

1998 through 2004. These values are 

slightly lower than the average 

historical use to accommodate two 

factors: allocation of halibut PSC 

cooperative quota under the Rockfish 

Program and the exemption of the F/V 

Golden Fleece from this restriction 

(§ 679.92(b)(2)). Table 19 lists the 

proposed 2025 and 2026 halibut PSC 

sideboard limits for Amendment 80 

Program vessels. This table incorporates 

the maximum percentages of the halibut 

PSC sideboard limits that may be used 

by Amendment 80 Program vessels as 

contained in table 38 to 50 CFR part 

679. Any residual amount of a seasonal 

Amendment 80 halibut PSC sideboard 

limit may carry forward to the next 

season limit (§ 679.92(b)(2)). 

TABLE 19—PROPOSED 2025 AND 2026 HALIBUT PSC SIDEBOARD LIMITS FOR AMENDMENT 80 PROGRAM VESSELS IN

THE GOA 

[Values are rounded to the nearest metric ton] 

Season Season dates Fishery category 

Historic Amendment 80 use of 

the annual halibut 

PSC limit 

(ratio) 

Annual trawl gear 

halibut PSC limit 

(mt) 

Proposed 2025 

and 2026 Amendment 80 vessel 

PSC sideboard 

limit 

(mt) 

1 ...................... January 20–April 1 .................. shallow-water .......................... 0.0048 1,705 8 

deep-water .............................. 0.0115 1,705 20 

2 ...................... April 1–July 1 .......................... shallow-water .......................... 0.0189 1,705 32 

deep-water .............................. 0.1072 1,705 183 

3 ...................... July 1–August 1 ...................... shallow-water .......................... 0.0146 1,705 25 

deep-water .............................. 0.0521 1,705 89 

4 ...................... August 1–October 1 ................ shallow-water .......................... 0.0074 1,705 13 

deep-water .............................. 0.0014 1,705 2 

5 ...................... October 1–December 31 ........ shallow-water .......................... 0.0227 1,705 39 

deep-water .............................. 0.0371 1,705 63 

Total shallow-water ................. .............................. .............................. 117 

Annual Total deep-water ..................... .............................. .............................. 357 

Grand Total, all seasons and categories 474 

Classification 

NMFS is issuing this proposed rule 

pursuant to section 305(d) of the 

Magnuson-Stevens Act. Through 

previous actions, the FMP and 

regulations at 50 CFR part 679 are 

designed to authorize NMFS to take this 

action. The NMFS Assistant 

Administrator has preliminarily 

determined that the proposed harvest 

specifications are consistent with the 

FMP, the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 

other applicable laws, subject to further 

review and consideration after public 

comment. 

This action is authorized under 

§ 679.20 and is exempt from review 

under Executive Order 12866 because it 

only implements annual catch limits in 

the GOA. 

NMFS prepared an EIS for the Alaska 

groundfish harvest specifications and 

alternative harvest strategies (see 

ADDRESSES) and made it available to the 

public on January 12, 2007 (72 FR 

1512). On February 13, 2007, NMFS 

issued the ROD for the Final EIS. A SIR 

is being prepared for the final 2025 and 

2026 harvest specifications to address 

the need to prepare a Supplemental EIS 

(40 CFR 1502.9(d)(1)). Copies of the 

Final EIS, ROD, and annual SIRs for this 

action are available from NMFS (see 

ADDRESSES). The Final EIS analyzes the 

environmental, social, and economic 

consequences of alternative harvest 

strategies for developing the annual 

groundfish harvest specifications on 

resources in the action area. Based on 

the analysis in the Final EIS, NMFS 

concluded that the preferred alternative 

(Alternative 2) provides the best balance 

among relevant environmental, social, 

and economic considerations and 

allows for continued management of the 

groundfish fisheries based on the most 

recent, best scientific information. 

Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis 

This Initial Regulatory Flexibility 

Analysis (IRFA) was prepared for this 

proposed rule, as required by Section 

603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 

(RFA) (5 U.S.C. 603), to describe the 

economic impact that this proposed 

rule, if adopted, would have on small 

entities. The IRFA describes the action; 

the reasons why this proposed rule is 

proposed; the objectives and legal basis 

for this proposed rule; the estimated 

number and description of directly 

regulated small entities to which this 

proposed rule would apply; the 

recordkeeping, reporting, and other 

compliance requirements of this 

proposed rule; and the relevant Federal 

rules that may duplicate, overlap, or 

conflict with this proposed rule. The 

IRFA also describes significant 

alternatives to this proposed rule that 

would accomplish the stated objectives 

of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and any 

other applicable statutes and that would 

minimize any significant economic 

impact of this proposed rule on small 

entities. The description of the proposed 

action, its purpose, and the legal basis 

are explained earlier in the preamble 

and are not repeated here. 

For RFA purposes only, NMFS has 

established a small business size 

standard for businesses, including their 

affiliates, whose primary industry is 

commercial fishing (see 50 CFR 200.2). 

A business primarily engaged in 

commercial fishing (North American 

Industry Classification System (NAICS) 

code 11411) is classified as a small 

business if it is independently owned 

and operated, is not dominant in its 


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field of operation (including its 

affiliates), and has combined annual 

gross receipts not in excess of $11 

million for all its affiliated operations 

worldwide. A shoreside processor 

primarily involved in seafood 

processing (NAICS code 311710) is 

classified as a small business if it is 

independently owned and operated, is 

not dominant in its field of operation 

(including its affiliates), and has 

combined annual employment, counting 

all individuals employed on a full-time, 

part-time, or other basis, not in excess 

of 750 employees for all its affiliated 

operations worldwide. 

Number and Description of Small 

Entities Regulated by This Proposed 

Rule 

The entities directly regulated by the 

groundfish harvest specifications 

include: (a) entities operating vessels 

with groundfish Federal fisheries 

permits (FFPs) catching FMP groundfish 

in Federal waters (including those 

receiving direction allocations of 

groundfish); (b) all entities operating 

vessels, regardless of whether they hold 

groundfish FFPs, catching FMP 

groundfish in the State waters parallel 

fisheries; and (c) all entities operating 

vessels fishing for halibut inside 3 miles 

of the shore (whether or not they have 

FFPs). 

In 2023 (the most recent year of 

complete data), there were 682 

individual CVs and CPs with gross 

revenues less than or equal to $11 

million. This represents the potential 

suite of directly regulated small entities 

and includes an estimated 680 small CV 

and 3 small CP entities in the GOA 

groundfish sector. The determination of 

entity size is based on vessel revenues 

and affiliated group revenues. This 

determination also includes an 

assessment of fisheries cooperative 

affiliations, although actual vessel 

ownership affiliations have not been 

completely established. However, the 

estimate of these 682 CVs and CPs may 

be an overstatement of the number of 

small entities because there are 

incomplete data for vessel revenues. 

The CVs had average gross revenues that 

varied by gear type. Average gross 

revenues for hook-and-line CVs, pot 

gear CVs, and trawl gear CVs are 

estimated to be $910,000, $1,530,000, 

and $2,280,000, respectively. Average 

gross revenues for hook-and-line CPs 

and pot gear CPs are confidential. There 

are no data for trawl gear CP entity 

revenue. 

Description of Significant Alternatives 

That Minimize Adverse Impacts on 

Small Entities 

The action under consideration is the 

proposed 2025 and 2026 harvest 

specifications, apportionments, and 

Pacific halibut PSC limits for the 

groundfish fishery of the GOA. This 

action is necessary to establish harvest 

limits for groundfish during the 2025 

and 2026 fishing years and is taken in 

accordance with the FMP prepared and 

recommended by the Council and 

approved by NMFS pursuant to the 

Magnuson-Stevens Act. The proposed 

harvest specifications are developed 

using the Council and NMFS’s harvest 

strategy to govern the catch of 

groundfish in the GOA. This strategy 

was selected from among five 

alternatives, with the preferred 

alternative harvest strategy being one in 

which the TACs fall within the range of 

ABCs recommended by the SSC through 

the harvest specifications process. 

Under the preferred harvest strategy, 

TACs are set to a level that falls within 

the range of ABCs recommended by the 

SSC through the harvest specifications 

process; the sum of the TACs must 

achieve the OY specified in the FMP. 

While the specific numbers that the 

harvest strategy produces may vary from 

year to year, the use of the the preferred 

harvest strategy remains constant each 

year. 

The TACs associated with preferred 

harvest strategy are those recommended 

by the Council in October 2024. OFLs 

and ABCs for the species were based on 

recommendations prepared by the 

Council’s Plan Team in September 2024 

and reviewed by the Council’s SSC in 

October 2024. The Council based its 

TAC recommendations on those of its 

AP, which were consistent with the 

SSC’s OFL and ABC recommendations. 

The TACs in these proposed 2025 and 

2026 harvest specifications are 

unchanged from the 2025 TACs in the 

final 2024 and 2025 harvest 

specifications (89 FR 15484, March 4, 

2024), with the exception of the TAC for 

Atka mackerel, which was incorrectly 

specified last year. The sum of all TACs 

remains within the OY for the GOA. 

The proposed 2025 and 2026 OFLs 

and ABCs are based on the best 

biological information available, 

including projected biomass trends, 

information on assumed distribution of 

stock biomass, and revised technical 

methods to calculate stock biomass. The 

proposed 2025 and 2026 TACs are based 

on the best biological and 

socioeconomic information available. 

The proposed 2025 and 2026 OFLs, 

ABCs, and TACs are consistent with the 

biological condition of groundfish 

stocks as described in the 2023 SAFE 

report, which is the most recent, 

completed SAFE report. 

Under this action, the proposed ABCs 

reflect harvest amounts that are less 

than the specified OFLs. The proposed 

TACs are within the range of proposed 

ABCs recommended by the SSC and do 

not exceed the biological limits 

recommended by the SSC (the ABCs 

and OFLs). For most species and species 

groups in the GOA, the Council 

recommended, and NMFS proposes, 

TACs equal to proposed ABCs, which is 

intended to maximize harvest 

opportunities in the GOA. 

For some species and species groups, 

however, the Council recommended, 

and NMFS proposes, TACs that are less 

than the proposed ABCs, including for 

pollock, Pacific cod, shallow-water 

flatfish in the Western Regulatory Area, 

arrowtooth flounder in the Western 

Regulatory Area and SEO District, 

flathead sole in the Western Regulatory 

Area, other rockfish in the SEO District, 

and Atka mackerel. In the GOA, 

increasing TACs for some species may 

not result in increased harvest 

opportunities for those species for a 

variety of reasons. There may be a lack 

of commercial or market interest in 

some species. Additionally, there are 

fixed, and therefore constraining, PSC 

limits associated with the harvest of the 

GOA groundfish species that can lead to 

an underharvest of flatfish TACs. For 

this reason, the shallow-water flatfish, 

arrowtooth flounder, and flathead sole 

TACs are set to allow for increased 

harvest opportunities for these target 

species while conserving the halibut 

PSC limit for use in other fisheries. The 

other rockfish and Atka mackerel TACs 

are set to accommodate ICAs in other 

fisheries. Finally, the TACs for two 

species (pollock and Pacific cod) cannot 

be set equal to ABC, as the TAC must 

be set to account for the State’s GHLs in 

these fisheries. The W/C/WYK 

Regulatory Area pollock TAC and the 

GOA Pacific cod TACs are therefore set 

to account for the State’s GHLs for the 

State waters pollock and Pacific cod 

fisheries so that the ABCs are not 

exceeded. For all other species in the 

GOA, the Council recommended, and 

NMFS proposes, that proposed TACs 

equal proposed ABCs, unless other 

conservation or management reasons 

(described above) support proposed 

TAC amounts less than the proposed 

ABCs. 

Based upon the best scientific data 

available, and in consideration of the 

Council’s objectives of this action, it 

appears that there are no significant 

alternatives to the proposed rule that 


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94700 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 230 / Friday, November 29, 2024 / Proposed Rules 

have the potential to accomplish the 

stated objectives of the MagnusonStevens Act and any other applicable 

statutes and that have the potential to 

minimize any significant adverse 

economic impact of the proposed rule 

on small entities. This action is 

economically beneficial to entities 

operating in the GOA, including small 

entities. The action proposes TACs for 

commercially valuable species in the 

GOA and allows for the continued 

prosecution of the fishery, thereby 

creating the opportunity for fishery 

revenue. After public process, during 

which the Council solicited input from 

stakeholders, the Council concluded, 

and NMFS concurs, that the proposed 

harvest specifications would best 

accomplish the stated objectives 

articulated in the preamble for this 

proposed rule and the requirements of 

applicable statutes, and would 

minimize to the extent practicable 

adverse economic impacts on the 

universe of directly regulated small 

entities. 

This action does not modify 

recordkeeping or reporting 

requirements, or duplicate, overlap, or 

conflict with any Federal rules. 

This proposed rule contains no 

information collection requirements 

under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 

1995. 

Adverse impacts on marine mammals 

or endangered or threatened species 

resulting from fishing activities 

conducted under these harvest 

specifications are discussed in the Final 

EIS and its accompanying annual SIR 

(see ADDRESSES). 

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 773 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 

1540(f); 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 

3631 et seq.; Pub. L. 105–277; Pub. L. 106– 

31; Pub. L. 106–554; Pub. L. 108–199; Pub. 

L. 108–447; Pub. L. 109–241; Pub. L. 109– 

479. 

Dated: November 22, 2024. 

Samuel D. Rauch III, 

Deputy Assistant Administrator for 

Regulatory Programs, National Marine 

Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2024–27896 Filed 11–27–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 


khammond on DSK9W7S144PROD with PROPOSALS