Alaska Perch Fishing Halted: Boats Beware Until 2026
Published Date: 11/3/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting October 31, 2025, fishing boats in the Bering Sea’s Central Aleutian area must stop targeting Pacific ocean perch to avoid catching too many. This temporary closure affects trawl boats with limited access and lasts until the end of 2025, helping keep fish populations healthy and fishing fair. If you’re in this fishery, plan ahead to avoid penalties and stay within the catch limits!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary closure: No targeting Pacific ocean perch
Starting 1200 hours Alaska local time on October 31, 2025, vessels participating in the BSAI trawl limited access sector fishery are prohibited from directed fishing for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Aleutian district of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area through 2400 hours A.l.t. on December 31, 2025. During this period you must stop targeting Pacific ocean perch in that area.
490 mt sector allowance triggered the closure
The 2025 directed fishing allowance allocated to vessels in the BSAI trawl limited access sector for Pacific ocean perch in the Central Aleutian district was set at 490 metric tons by the final 2025 and 2026 harvest specifications (90 FR 12640, March 18, 2025). NMFS found that this 490 metric ton allowance has been or will be reached, which prompted the temporary closure.
Retainable bycatch limits still apply on trips
While the closure is in effect, the maximum retainable amounts in Sec. 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. That means you may only retain incidental amounts of Pacific ocean perch up to those regulatory limits while the directed fishing prohibition is active.
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Key Dates
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-19770, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Ocean Perch in the Western Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Starting October 31, 2025, fishing boats in the Bering Sea’s Western Aleutian district must stop targeting Pacific ocean perch to avoid catching too many. This temporary fishing ban affects trawl boats and lasts until the end of 2025, helping protect fish populations and keep the catch within safe limits.
Next: 2025-19772, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Atka Mackerel in the Central Aleutian District of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area
Starting October 31, 2025, fishing boats using trawl gear in the Central Aleutian area must stop catching Atka mackerel because they’ve hit their 2025 limit. This temporary closure helps protect the fish population and keeps the fishing fair for everyone. The rule lasts until December 31, 2025, and affects all vessels in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands trawl limited access fishery.