Pollock Fishing Pauses in One Gulf of Alaska Zone
Published Date: 10/30/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting October 28, 2026, fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska is temporarily closed to keep the total catch within safe limits for the year. This affects fishermen targeting pollock, ensuring the fish population stays healthy and other fisheries can thrive. The closure lasts until December 31, 2026, helping balance the ecosystem and protect future catches.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Directed fishing for pollock closed Oct–Dec 2026
Starting at 1200 hours Alaska local time on October 28, 2026, directed fishing for pollock in Statistical Area 630 of the Gulf of Alaska is prohibited through 2400 hours on December 31, 2026. The closure was put in place to prevent exceeding the 2026 annual total allowable catch (TAC) for that area, which is 37,936 metric tons.
Directed fishing allowance and 500 mt incidental set-aside
The Regional Administrator established a directed fishing allowance of 37,436 metric tons of pollock for Statistical Area 630 for 2026 and set aside the remaining 500 metric tons of the 2026 TAC as incidental catch to support other anticipated groundfish fisheries. That 500 mt set-aside is available to allow incidental pollock catch by other groundfish fisheries while preventing the directed pollock TAC from being exceeded.
Maximum retainable amounts apply during closure
While the directed pollock closure is in effect, the maximum retainable amounts (MRAs) at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip. This limits how much pollock vessels may retain as bycatch or incidental catch during the closure period.
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