2025-19537: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea Subarea and Eastern Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 196 (Tuesday, October 14, 2025) [Federal Register Volume 90, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 14, 2025)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 48241] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2025-19537] ======================================================================== Rules and Regulations Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 196 / Tuesday, October 14, 2025 / Rules and Regulations [[Page 48241]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 679 [Docket No. 250312-0036; RTID 0648-XF310] Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea Subarea and Eastern Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

Agency

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

Action

Temporary rule; closure. -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel in the Bering Sea subarea and Eastern Aleutian District (BS/EAI) of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery. This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of Atka mackerel in the BS/EAI allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery.

Dates

Effective 1200 hours, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 9, 2025, through 2400 hours, A.l.t., December 31, 2025.

For Further Information Contact

Adam Zaleski, 907-586-7228.

Supplementary Information

NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the BSAI exclusive economic zone according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (FMP) prepared and recommended by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Regulations governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679. The 2025 TAC of Atka mackerel, in the BS/EAI, allocated to vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery was established as a directed fishing allowance of 3,386 metric tons by the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (90 FR 12640, March 18, 2025). In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the Regional Administrator has determined that the 2025 Atka mackerel TAC allocated to vessels in the BSAI trawl limited access sector in the BS/EAI will be or has been reached. Consequently, NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Atka mackerel by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery in the BS/EAI to prevent exceeding this sector's allocation of Atka mackerel TAC. While this closure is effective, the maximum retainable amounts at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. Classification NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson- Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR part 679, which was issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866. Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice and comment would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest, as it would prevent NMFS from responding to the most recent fisheries data on Atka mackerel catch in a timely fashion and would delay the directed fishing closure of Atka mackerel by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery in the BS/EAI. NMFS was unable to publish a notice providing time for public comment because the most recent, relevant data on Atka mackerel catch in the BS/EAI by vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery only became available as of October 6, 2025. There is good cause under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to waive the 30-day delay in the effective date of this action. This finding is based upon the reasons provided above for waiver of prior notice and opportunity for public comment. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 9, 2025. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2025-19537 Filed 10-9-25; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P