Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Demersal Shelf Rockfish in the Western, Central, and West Yakutat Regulatory Areas of the Gulf of Alaska
Published Date: 2/9/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting February 6, 2026, fishing for demersal shelf rockfish in parts of the Gulf of Alaska is temporarily banned to keep the 2026 catch limit from being exceeded. This affects fishermen in the Western, Central, and West Yakutat areas, who can only catch these rockfish as a bycatch while fishing for other species. The closure lasts until the end of 2026 and helps protect fish populations while supporting other fisheries.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Directed Fishing Ban for Rockfish
If you fish in the Western, Central, or West Yakutat areas of the Gulf of Alaska, directed fishing for demersal shelf rockfish is prohibited from 1200 A.l.t. on February 6, 2026 through 2400 A.l.t. on December 31, 2026. The rule sets a directed fishing allowance of 0 to prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch of 271 metric tons.
Incidental Catch Set-Aside of 271 mt
NMFS set aside 271 metric tons of demersal shelf rockfish as incidental catch to support other groundfish fisheries in the Western, Central, and West Yakutat areas for 2026. While the directed fishery is closed, maximum retainable amounts at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply during any trip.
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