Federal managers raise Bering Sea perch, rockfish and flatfish catch limits

The National Marine Fisheries Service raised this year's Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands catch limits for Pacific ocean perch, northern rockfish and "other flatfish" by 3,961 metric tons from Oct. 30 through Dec. 31 under a temporary rule published Sept. 30.

The rule raises the Bering Sea Pacific ocean perch limit by 1,486 metric tons, to 9,905. Northern rockfish across the Bering Sea and Aleutians goes up 1,800 tons, to 12,000. The "other flatfish" group gains 675 tons, to 4,500. NMFS said the changes fit the federal groundfish plan for the region and won't cause overfishing. The agency's species page lists the Bering Sea and Aleutian perch stock as not overfished, based on a 2022 assessment.

The added tonnage comes from the non-specified reserve, the 15% of most species' catch limits held back each year. NMFS can apportion reserve tonnage back to a species that contributed to it if doing so won't cause overfishing. After this move, about 8,839 tons remain in the reserve, according to the agency's information bulletin.

NMFS cited good cause to skip advance public comment and the usual 30-day wait, though the rule lists Oct. 30, 30 days after publication, as its effective date. The agency said the catch data behind the decision only became available Sept. 22. Shannon Bettridge, acting director of NOAA's Office of Sustainable Fisheries, signed the rule Sept. 25.

The bulletin says the increase doesn't lift or change any existing closures or retention limits. NMFS closed directed perch fishing in the Western Aleutian district to the trawl limited access sector on Sept. 4. Since Sept. 21, the agency has barred keeping "other rockfish" in the Aleutian Islands for the rest of the year, except by hook-and-line, pot and jig catcher vessels.

Comments are due Oct. 15, 15 days after publication.