Alaska Fishermen Banned from Shortraker Rockfish Party – Limit Hit!
Published Date: 4/18/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting now, only certain catcher/processors in the Central Gulf of Alaska can keep shortraker rockfish because the 2025 catch limit for everyone else has been hit. This means most fishermen have to stop keeping this fish to protect the population. If you’re part of the special rockfish program, you’re still good to go, but others need to watch their nets!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Most Central GOA fishers barred
If you fish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, you may not retain (keep) shortraker rockfish because the 2025 total allowable catch for vessels other than certain catcher/processors has been reached. NMFS is prohibiting retention of shortraker rockfish by vessels other than catcher/processors checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program.
Program catcher/processors exempted
If you are a catcher/processor checked-in to the Central GOA Rockfish Program and are fishing with a rockfish cooperative quota permit, you are allowed to retain shortraker rockfish in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska even though the 2025 limit for other vessels has been reached. NMFS explicitly exempts these catcher/processors from the retention prohibition.
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Key Dates
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