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Proposed rule · National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Proposed change to opening and closing times for Alaska groundfish fisheries

Official title: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Modify Groundfish Season Timing in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fisheries

Map: Bering Sea; Aleutian Islands; Gulf of Alaska

Summary written by AI from the Federal Register document and checked against it by a second AI model.

The National Marine Fisheries Service proposes two technical changes to when Alaska groundfish fishing seasons open and close in the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska. First, it could set sablefish season times to match the halibut season set by the International Pacific Halibut Commission. Second, it could pick a closing time other than noon when ending a groundfish fishery mid-season. The agency says this would reduce discarded fish and let more of the allowed catch be harvested. Comments are due November 20, 2026.

Details

Agency
Department of Commerce; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Document type
Proposed rule
Published
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Comments due
Friday, November 20, 2026
Document number
2026-21507
Docket
Docket No. 261015-0010
Regulation ID (RIN)
0648-BO22
Who is affected
  • Sablefish and halibut quota fishing vessels
  • Groundfish fishing fleets
  • Community Development Quota groups
  • Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands fisheries
  • Gulf of Alaska fisheries
Where
  • Bering Sea 60.379, -166.219 · geocoded
  • Aleutian Islands 54.721, -164.041 · geocoded
  • Gulf of Alaska 55.618, -133.497 · geocoded

Story timeline

  1. Oct 21 · Proposed ruleThis document

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