The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) advises that catcher vessels less than 50 feet (15.2 meters (m)) length overall using hook-and-line gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) are estimated to reach their total allowable catch (TAC) for Pacific cod, beginning 12 noon, Alaska local time, February 23, 2025 according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
Keeping harvest levels at or below established TACs helps to ensure annual catch limits are not exceeded and prevents overfishing under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
In fisheries with harvest levels that have reached their TAC, NMFS advises that vessels should adhere to the maximum retainable amounts at 50 CFR 679.20(e) and (f). NMFS will continue to monitor all fishing activities in Federal and parallel waters and will report to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council on any fishing activities that occur after NMFS announces that harvest levels have reached their TAC.
