Reallocation of Pacific Cod TAC from Jig Gear Vessels to Small Hook-and-Line/Pot Gear Catcher Vessels in the BSAI
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating projected unused Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) originally allocated to vessels using jig gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) management area. The unused quota is being transferred to catcher vessels under 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall (LOA) that use hook-and-line or pot gear. This reallocation applies specifically to the 'A season' allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC. The action is designed to prevent waste of the allowable catch and ensure that the annual quota is fully harvested by redirecting it to a fleet segment that has both the capacity and the gear type to use it. Small catcher vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear are deemed capable of absorbing the unused jig gear allocation within the current fishing season. This is a routine mid-season administrative adjustment consistent with NMFS's ongoing management of BSAI groundfish fisheries.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Unused 2026 A season Pacific cod TAC originally allocated to jig gear vessels is reallocated away from that gear sector.
- Reallocation recipients are catcher vessels strictly under 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear.
- Action is limited to the BSAI management area and applies to the 2026 fishing year A season allowance only.
+ 2 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Reallocate projected unused Pacific cod TAC from jig gear vessels to catcher vessels under 60 feet LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI management area for the 2026 A season
Ensure that the 2026 A season Pacific cod TAC allowance is fully harvested by redirecting unused jig gear quota to small catcher vessels
Only allocate transferred Pacific cod TAC to catcher vessels that are less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) length overall
Only allocate transferred Pacific cod TAC to vessels using hook-and-line or pot gear (excluding jig gear)
Limit the reallocation of Pacific cod TAC to the A season allowance of 2026