The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI), effective 12 noon, Alaska local time, January 21, 2025, according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS. On January 17, NMFS first alerted fishery participants that NMFS anticipated harvest levels would be reached for Pacific cod on January 21, 2025.
This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2025 Pacific cod total allowable catch allocated to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.20(d)(1)(iii). This closure does not apply to fishing by vessels participating in the Community Development Program.
While this closure is effective the maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f) apply at any time during a trip.
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.
