Alaska Fish Paperwork Extended: NOAA Keeps Bering Sea Logs Rolling
Published Date: 1/27/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is asking to keep collecting reports from 10 fishing groups in Alaska’s Bering Sea to make sure the American Fisheries Act rules are followed. They’re extending the current paperwork with no big changes, asking for public feedback for 30 more days. This helps keep fishing fair and organized without adding extra costs or time burdens.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory AFA Reporting Burden
Ten for-profit AFA cooperative respondents must continue to submit annual and periodic Alaska American Fisheries Act reports. The rule lists specific average hours per response (AFA Cooperative Contract 8 hours; Bering Sea Pollock Fishery Incentive Plan Agreement 50 hours; IPA Annual Report 80 hours; IPA administrative appeals 4 hours) and a total annual burden of 350 hours. These reports are mandatory and required to obtain or retain benefits under the American Fisheries Act.
Data Supports Fishery Management
The collected reports are used by NMFS and the Council to manage the Bering Sea pollock fishery, evaluate Chinook and chum salmon bycatch measures, and provide information to the public. NOAA states this information is necessary to help ensure long-term conservation and abundance of salmon and pollock and to provide maximum benefit to fishermen and communities that depend on those fisheries.
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