IB 25-33: NMFS Prohibits Retention of Blackspotted and Rougheye Rockfish in the Central Aleutian and Western Aleutian Districts of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting retention of blackspotted and rougheye rockfish in the Central Aleutian and Western Aleutian districts of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, September 11, 2025, according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.

This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2025 total allowable catch (TAC) of blackspotted and rougheye rockfish in the Central Aleutian and Western Aleutian districts of the BSAI because the TAC will soon be or has been reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(2).

NMFS is requiring that blackspotted and rougheye rockfish in the Central Aleutian and Western Aleutian districts of the BSAI be treated in the same manner as a prohibited species, as described under § 679.21(a), for the remainder of the year, except blackspotted and rougheye rockfish species in the Central Aleutian and Western Aleutian districts of the BSAI caught by catcher vessels using hook-and-line, pot, or jig gear as described in § 679.20(j). These vessels must retain all rockfish but the maximum commerce allowance for blackspotted and roegheye rockfish is set at 0 percent, as described in § 679.21(j)(4).

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 .