The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting retention of shortraker rockfish for vessels effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, April 15, 2025, according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. On April 10, NMFS first alerted fishery participants that the total allowable catch (TAC) would be reached on April 11, 2025.
This action is necessary because the 2025 TAC of shortraker rockfish has been reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(2). This action does not apply to catcher/processors checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program who are fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit.
NMFS is requiring that shortraker rockfish in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species, as described under § 679.21(a)(2), for the remainder of the year except for shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described in § 679.20(j) or catcher vessels using trawl gear participating in the electronic monitoring program as described in § 679.21(a)(2).
This information bulletin only provides notice of a fishery management action. For the purposes of complying with any requirements of this action, you are advised to see the actual text of the action in the Federal Register.
