Prohibition of Directed Fishing for Pacific Cod by Pot Catcher/Processors in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
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 closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher/processors using pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This regulatory action is taken to prevent the fleet from exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) that has been specifically allocated to this gear and vessel category. Once this prohibition takes effect, catcher/processors using pot gear may no longer target Pacific cod in the BSAI. Any incidental catch of Pacific cod while fishing for other species would still be subject to existing bycatch regulations. This is a standard in-season management measure used by NMFS to ensure sustainable harvest levels are maintained throughout the fishing year. The closure reflects NMFS's ongoing quota management approach, where directed fisheries are shut down as allocated catch limits are approached, thereby protecting the overall stock health of Pacific cod in Alaskan waters.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Directed fishing for Pacific cod by pot catcher/processors in the BSAI is prohibited effective immediately
- The closure applies specifically to the A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod TAC
- Only catcher/processors using pot gear are affected; other gear types and vessel categories remain open
+ 2 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Catcher/processors using pot gear must cease all directed fishing for Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI) effective upon the prohibition taking effect
Catcher/processors using pot gear must comply with existing bycatch regulations for any incidental catch of Pacific cod while fishing for other species
NMFS must monitor catcher/processor pot gear fishing activity to ensure compliance with the directed fishing prohibition and prevent exceeding the A season 2026 Pacific cod TAC allocation