NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES RULE: FISHERIES OF THE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE OFF ALASKA; SHORTRAKER ROCKFISH IN THE CENTRAL REGULATORY AREA OF THE GULF OF ALASKA

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a rule called: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Shortraker Rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 16 by Shannon Bettridge, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Summary: NMFS is prohibiting retention of shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) except by catcher/processors checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program who are fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit. This action is necessary because the 2026 shortraker rockfish total allowable catch (TAC) in the Central...