Feds Hand Pacific Cod to Hook-and-Line Fishermen
Published Date: 12/16/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting December 15, 2025, some Pacific cod that catcher vessels using trawl gear won’t catch will be given to boats using hook-and-line and pot gear in the Western Gulf of Alaska. This switch helps make sure the total allowed catch for 2025 is fully used without wasting any fish. Fishermen using hook-and-line and pot gear get a chance to catch more Pacific cod before the year ends.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Hook-and-Line Fleet Gains 70 mt
If you operate a catcher vessel using hook-and-line gear in the Western Gulf of Alaska, your 2025 Pacific cod allocation increases by 70 metric tons from 82 mt to 152 mt. This change is effective December 15, 2025 through December 31, 2025 and gives your sector extra fish to harvest before year end.
Pot Gear Fleet Gains 150 mt
If you operate a vessel using pot gear in the Western Gulf of Alaska, your 2025 Pacific cod allocation increases by 150 metric tons from 2,236 mt to 2,386 mt. This reallocation is effective December 15, 2025 through December 31, 2025 and allows pot-gear vessels extra opportunity to harvest cod before year end.
Trawl Fleet Allocation Reduced 220 mt
If you operate a catcher vessel using trawl gear in the Western Gulf of Alaska, your 2025 Pacific cod allocation is reduced by 220 metric tons from 2,260 mt to 2,040 mt. The reallocation takes effect December 15, 2025 through December 31, 2025 and reduces the trawl sector’s allowable harvest for the remainder of 2025.
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