IB 26-40: Exchange of Flatfish Reserves for Community Development Quota and Total Allowable Catch in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is exchanging unused flathead sole and yellowfin sole total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to Community Development Quota (CDQ) for rock sole CDQ Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) according to Jonathan Kurland, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. This action is in response to a flatfish exchange application from the Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation and is necessary to allow the CDQ fishery to optimize their total rock sole harvest in the BSAI, consistent with the goals and objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the BSAI Management Area.

This action decreases the TACs and CDQ allocations and increases the CDQ ABC reserves for flathead sole by 200 mt and yellowfin sole by 700 mt. This action increases the TAC and CDQ allocation and decreases the CDQ ABC reserves for rock sole by 900 mt. This action changes Tables 13 and 15 of the final 2026 and 2027 harvest specifications for groundfish in the BSAI (91 FR 11750, March 10, 2026).

Fishermen are reminded that all actions and closures remain in full force and effect. This reallocation does not rescind or modify closures to directed fishing or actions prohibiting retention of a groundfish species. 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.