# 2026-03170: Small Boats Hooked: Pacific Cod Fishing Halted in Alaska Gulf

2026-03170, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, is a Federal Register rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-02-18, effective 2026-02-15 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03170
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-03170
- Title: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Less Than 50 Feet Length Overall Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 7403
- Published: 2026-02-18
- Effective: 2026-02-15
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Small Boats Hooked: Pacific Cod Fishing Halted in Alaska Gulf

## Summary

Starting February 15, 2026, small fishing boats under 50 feet using hook-and-line gear in the Central Gulf of Alaska must stop fishing for Pacific cod because they’ve hit their catch limit for the season. This temporary closure lasts until June 10, 2026, helping protect fish stocks and keep the fishing fair for everyone. If you’re a small boat fisher in this area, it’s time to pause and plan ahead!

## Abstract

NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line (HAL) gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 A season allowance of the total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 m) length overall using HAL gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.

## Effects PRIA read

- Temporary Pacific Cod Closure: cost, high. If you operate a catcher vessel less than 50 feet using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska, you must stop directed fishing for Pacific cod from 1200 A.l.t. on February 15, 2026 until 1200 A.l.t. on June 10, 2026 because the A season allowance has been reached. T…
- Directed Allowance and Incidental Set-Aside: mixed, medium. The A season allowance for this sector was 1,927 metric tons (mt). NMFS established a directed fishing allowance of 1,847 mt and set aside 80 mt as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries for 2026.
- Retainable Amounts Apply During Trips: cost, medium. While the closure is in effect, the maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. This limits how much of other groundfish you may legally keep while on a fishing trip during the Pacific cod closure.

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## Sources
- [2026-03170 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/18/2026-03170/fisheries-of-the-exclusive-economic-zone-off-alaska-pacific-cod-by-catcher-vessels-less-than-50-feet)
- [2026-03170 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-18/pdf/2026-03170.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03170 (as of 2026-06-11).