NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES PROPOSED RULE: MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT PROVISIONS; FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES; PACIFIC COAST GROUNDFISH FISHERY; 2026 PACIFIC WHITING HARVEST SPECIFICATIONS, 2026 TRIBAL ALLOCATION, AND 2026 INCIDENTAL SET-ASIDE

WASHINGTON, March 6 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a proposed rule called: Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2026 Pacific Whiting Harvest Specifications, 2026 Tribal Allocation, and 2026 Incidental Set-Aside.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on March 6 by Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Summary: NMFS issues this proposed rule to establish the 2026 Tribal allocation of Pacific whiting and set-aside of Pacific whiting for research and incidental mortality in non-groundfish fisheries. The proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishin...