Alaska Trawlers Banned from Cod Hunt: Keeping Fish Stocks Safe
Published Date: 3/5/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting now, boats using trawl gear in the Central Gulf of Alaska can’t fish specifically for Pacific cod to keep the 2025 catch limits safe. This affects catcher vessels and helps protect fish stocks so everyone can keep fishing in the future. The rule kicks in immediately and helps avoid going over the allowed catch, keeping the fishing game fair and balanced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Trawl catcher vessels banned from Pacific cod
If you operate a catcher vessel using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), you are prohibited from directed fishing for Pacific cod effective immediately. The closure is to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific cod for catcher vessels using trawl gear in that area.
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Previous: 2025-03535 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 60 Feet (18.3 Meters) Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line or Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Starting now, small fishing boats under 60 feet using hook-and-line or pot gear can’t fish for Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This rule helps keep the Pacific cod catch within safe limits for 2025. If you’re a small boat fisher in this area, you’ll need to pause your Pacific cod fishing to avoid going over the limit.
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Starting in 2025, the southern area trophy fishery for big Atlantic bluefin tuna is closed to recreational anglers and charter boats. This means if you fish for giant bluefin tuna (73 inches or bigger) in this area, you’ll have to wait until next year. This change helps protect these amazing fish and keeps the sport fair and fun for everyone.