Fish Caps for 2026: Alaska's Groundfish Harvest Guidelines Set
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government is setting new fishing limits for groundfish in Alaska’s Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands for 2026 and 2027 to keep fish populations healthy and fishing fair. These rules affect fishermen and seafood businesses by updating how much fish they can catch, with changes kicking in soon and public comments open until January 5, 2026. The goal? Smart fishing that protects the ocean and supports the fishing industry for years to come.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
2026–2027 Total Catch Limits Set
The rule proposes total allowable catches (TACs) and biological limits for groundfish in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands for 2026 and 2027. The sum of the proposed ABCs is 3,188,585 metric tons and the sum of the proposed TACs is 1,999,999 metric tons; these numbers set how much all fishing sectors may take in those years.
Sector Shares, CDQ Reserves, and Pollock ICAs
The proposal spells out percent reserves and sector apportionments that change who gets quota. Examples: NMFS must reserve 15% of TACs in a nonspecified reserve (with specified exceptions); 10.7% of certain TACs (Atka mackerel, AI Pacific ocean perch, yellowfin, rock, flathead sole, and Pacific cod) are allocated to CDQ reserves; 10% of BS and AI pollock TACs go to the pollock CDQ directed fishing allowance. NMFS proposes BS pollock incidental catch allowance (ICA) of 46,000 mt and AI pollock ICA of 4,500 mt, plus specific ICAs for flathead sole (2,000 mt), rock sole (3,000 mt), yellowfin sole (2,000 mt), and various Atka mackerel and Pacific ocean perch area ICAs.
Bycatch (PSC) Limits for Halibut, Crab, Herring
The proposed rule sets prohibited species catch (PSC) limits that constrain incidental catch by fishery category. Examples: total BSAI halibut PSC limits sum to 1,770 mt (315 mt CDQ, 745 mt trawl limited access, 710 mt non-trawl) and the 2026 Amendment 80 sector halibut PSC limit is 1,309 mt; the red king crab trawl PSC limit for Zone 1 is 97,000 animals; Tanner crab PSC limits are 980,000 animals (Zone 1) and 2,970,000 animals (Zone 2); the snow crab PSC limit is set at the 13 million-animal maximum of 12,850,000; and the herring PSC limit is 2,651 mt.
State Guideline Harvests Reduce Federal TACs
The State of Alaska set guideline harvest levels (GHLs) that the proposed federal TACs will account for, which reduces the federal share available to vessels. Examples: AI sablefish GHL is 5% (1,223 mt) of the combined BS+AI ABC for sablefish; BS pot-gear Pacific cod GHL remains 13% of the BS ABC (18,398 mt); an anticipated AI GHL of 31% for Pacific cod equals 4,022 mt for 2026.
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Key Dates
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