# 2026-02166: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska

2026-02166, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, is a Federal Register rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-02-03, effective 2026-02-01 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02166
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-02166
- Title: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 4856
- Published: 2026-02-03
- Effective: 2026-02-01
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## Summary

Starting February 1, 2026, fishing for Pacific cod using pot gear in the Western Gulf of Alaska is temporarily closed to keep the catch within safe limits. This affects fishermen using pot gear who must stop targeting Pacific cod until September 1, 2026, helping protect the fish population and future fishing opportunities. No extra catch is allowed, so everyone needs to follow the new rules to avoid penalties.

## Abstract

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the A season allowance of the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the GOA.

## Effects PRIA read

- Temporary closure for pot-gear cod fishing: cost, high. Starting 1200 hours Alaska local time on February 1, 2026, directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska is closed through 1200 hours Alaska local time on September 1, 2026. If you operate or work on a pot-gear vessel in that area, y…
- A-season TAC set and incidental catch zeroed: cost, medium. The A season allowance of the 2026 Pacific cod total allowable catch (TAC) apportioned to vessels using pot gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska is 1,027 metric tons (mt). NMFS established a directed fishing allowance of 1,027 mt and set aside 0 mt for incidental catch; while t…

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## Sources
- [2026-02166 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/03/2026-02166/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-cod-by-vessels-using-pot-gear-in-the)
- [2026-02166 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-03/pdf/2026-02166.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-02165, The Sunset Rule; Correction](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02165)
- [Next: 2026-02175, Drawbridge Operation Regulation; New Rochelle Harbor, Westchester County, NY](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02175)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02166 (as of 2026-06-11).