The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in the Winter Herring Savings Area of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), September 25, 2025, through March 1, 2026, according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
This action is necessary to prevent additional catch of herring accruing to the 2025 herring bycatch allowance specified for the midwater pollock fishery in the BSAI and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.21(e)(7)(vi)(B)(1).
This action includes prohibiting directed fishing for pollock in the Winter Herring Savings Area of the BSAI by vessels participating in the Community Development Program.
The Winter Herring Savings Area is that part of the Bering Sea subarea that is between of 58° and 60° North latitude and between 172° W longitude and 175° W longitude from 1200 hours, A.l.t., September 1, 2025 through 1200 hours, A.l.t., March 1, 2026.
While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
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.
