Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Cost Recovery Program
Published Date: 7/28/2026
Notice
Summary
NMFS publishes notification of a 0.67 percent fee for cost recovery under the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program (Program). This action is intended to provide holders of crab allocations notice of the 2026/2027 crab fishing year fee percentage so they can calculate the required cost recovery fee payment, which must be submitted to NMFS by July 31, 2027.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Fee Falls From 1.2% to 0.67%
The effective fee percentage for 2026/2027 is 0.67 percent, down from 1.2 percent in 2025/2026. NMFS reports the change is due to a roughly 37.5 percent increase in fishery value and about a 10 percent decrease in direct program costs.
0.67% Cost Recovery Fee Set
NMFS set the cost recovery fee at 0.67 percent for the 2026/2027 crab fishing year. If you hold crab allocations, the fee is applied to the ex-vessel value of crab landed for that year and payment must be submitted by July 31, 2027.
RCR Must Collect and Submit Fee
The Registered Crab Receiver (RCR) permit holder must collect the fee liability from the crab allocation holder who is landing crab and must submit the total payment to NMFS on or before July 31, 2027. RCRs must also collect their own fee liability for crab they receive.
Fee Calculation Method and 3% Cap
The dollar fee is calculated by multiplying the fee percentage by the ex-vessel value of crab debited from the allocation. The fee percentage is set annually but may not exceed 3 percent under program rules.
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The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
Next: 2026-15163, Marine Mammals and Endangered Species
Notice is hereby given that permits have been issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), as applicable.