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.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-05599 — Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-10260 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS)
NOAA is asking for approval to keep collecting info from 11 groups involved in Regional Coastal Observing Systems. They’re updating the program’s name and cutting down the paperwork time, but the info they collect stays the same. This helps improve ocean safety, protect the environment, and boost the economy, with a small time commitment of about 75 hours per response.
2026-10318 — New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on June 8, 2026, to discuss fishing rules for Atlantic herring and river herring and shad for 2027-2031. Fishermen, environmental groups, and local communities will be affected by these decisions, which could change how much fish can be caught and help protect fish populations. The meeting is open to the public and will be held both in Portsmouth, NH, and online.
2026-10322 — Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
The government is reviewing a special fishing permit request that would let certain boats fish in areas usually off-limits to protect habitats. This permit supports a project by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation to use clam dredges in the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area. People have until June 8, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this could change how some fishing rules apply, but no new fees are mentioned.
2026-10317 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the Angling Category Gulf of America Trophy Fishery for 2026
Starting May 21, 2026, the Gulf of America trophy fishery for big Atlantic bluefin tuna is closed for the rest of the year. This affects recreational anglers and charter boats with special permits, stopping them from catching or keeping these giant tunas. The closure helps protect the tuna population and follows international fishing rules.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00552 — Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans, Notice of Meeting
The Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans will meet online on March 10, 2026, to discuss ways to help Veterans adjust to civilian life. They’ll start drafting recommendations for their annual report and invite the public to share thoughts during a special comment time. This meeting affects Veterans, especially those who served in combat, and aims to improve benefits and services without any immediate cost changes.
Next: 2026-00555 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Statement of Financial Interests, Regional Fishery Management Councils
NOAA is asking for public feedback on renewing a form that fishery council members fill out to share their financial interests. This helps keep fishery management fair and transparent. Comments are open until March 16, 2026, and this process won’t cost anyone extra but keeps things honest and clear.