2026-00553Notice

NOAA Extends Alaska AFA Pollock Fishery Permit Information Collection

Published Date: 1/14/2026

Notice

Summary

NOAA is asking to keep collecting info from 79 fishing businesses that hold Alaska American Fisheries Act (AFA) permits. These permits help manage the Bering Sea pollock fishery, and the paperwork mostly involves applications for vessel changes and fishing rights transfers. The agency wants to extend this info collection with no new fees, giving the public 30 more days to share their thoughts.

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Extension of AFA Paperwork Obligation

NOAA is extending the required information collection for Alaska American Fisheries Act (AFA) permits that covers 79 respondents. The collection includes several forms with estimated average hours per response (1 hour; 2 hours; 4 hours; 8 hours) and a stated total annual burden of 246 hours; responding is mandatory to obtain or retain permit benefits.

No New Fees for AFA Forms

The agency is extending the AFA information collection without imposing any new fees. Existing respondents (79 fishing businesses and related entities) will continue to submit required forms but will not be charged additional fees for this extension.

Must Carry Valid AFA Permit Onboard

Any vessel fishing for non-CDQ pollock in the Bering Sea and any shoreside processor, stationary floating processor, or mothership receiving non-CDQ pollock must have a valid AFA permit on board or at the facility location at all times while non-CDQ pollock is being harvested or processed. Permanent AFA permits were originally issued with indefinite expiration, though some participants require annual or replacement permits.

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Key Dates

Published Date
1/14/2026

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Commerce Department
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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