The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting retention of Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, October 1, 2020, according to James W. Balsiger, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. This closure does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the cooperative fishery in the Rockfish Program for the Central GOA.
This action is necessary because the 2020 total allowable catch of Pacific cod allocated to catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA has been reached and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(2).
NMFS is requiring that Pacific cod in this area be treated in the same manner as prohibited species and be discarded at sea with a minimum of injury.
This information bulletin only provides notice of a fishery management action. For the purposes of complying with any requirements of this action, you are advised to see the actual text of the action in the Federal Register.
