# 2025-20612: Alaska Bans Big Skate Fishing After Quota Reached

2025-20612, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Big Skates in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, is a Federal Register rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2025-11-21, effective 2025-11-21 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20612
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-20612
- Title: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Big Skates in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 90 FR 52567
- Published: 2025-11-21
- Effective: 2025-11-21
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Alaska Bans Big Skate Fishing After Quota Reached

## Summary

Starting November 21, 2025, fishermen in the Central Gulf of Alaska can no longer keep big skates because the yearly catch limit has been hit. This temporary closure lasts until the end of 2025 and helps protect skate populations while keeping fishing fair. If you fish there, you’ll need to throw big skates back to avoid penalties.

## Abstract

NMFS is prohibiting retention of big skates in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary because the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of big skates in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached.

## Effects PRIA read

- Central GOA Big Skate Retention Ban: cost, medium. Starting 1200 hours Alaska time on November 21, 2025, you may not keep (retain) big skates caught in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska because the 2025 total allowable catch of 1,749 metric tons has been reached. The temporary closure runs through 2400 hours Alaska time on December…

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## Sources
- [2025-20612 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/11/21/2025-20612/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-big-skates-in-the-central-regulatory-area-of-the)
- [2025-20612 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-11-21/pdf/2025-20612.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-20612 (as of 2026-06-11).