Alaska Cod Fishing Halted: Nets Down Until Fall
Published Date: 1/21/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting January 20, 2026, catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Gulf of Alaska can’t fish for Pacific cod because the allowed catch limit for the season is almost reached. This temporary closure helps protect the fish and keeps the fishing fair for everyone. The ban lasts until September 1, 2026, making sure the Pacific cod population stays healthy and other fisheries can keep going smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary Closure for Trawl Vessels
Starting 1200 hours Alaska local time on January 20, 2026, catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska are prohibited from directed fishing for Pacific cod through 1200 hours A.l.t. on September 1, 2026. This closure was issued because the A season allowance for those vessels (3,508 metric tons) would be or has been reached.
A Season Allowance Set Aside
The Regional Administrator set the directed fishing allowance for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central GOA to 0 metric tons and designated the remaining A season allowance of 3,508 metric tons as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. That 3,508 mt is reserved to be caught incidentally by other fisheries rather than by directed trawl fishing.
Maximum Retainable Amounts Apply
While the closure is in effect, the maximum retainable amounts in Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) govern how much Pacific cod can be kept at any time during a trip. That means catcher vessels using trawl gear may only retain incidental amounts as specified by those rules during the trip.
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