The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reallocating the unused amount of 2,668 metric tons (mt) of Pacific cod allocated to the Pacific cod Trawl Cooperative program (PCTC) and the unused amount of 608 mt of Pacific cod apportioned to the A and B seasons for the incidental catch allowance (ICA) of Pacific cod by trawl catcher vessels engaged in directed fishing for groundfish other than the PCTC program to the limited access trawl catcher vessel sector C season in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area (BSAI). This reallocation increases the apportionment of Pacific cod to the limited access trawl catcher vessel sector C season to 7,488 mt. As indicated below, NMFS is further reallocating 1,000 mt to catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 m) length overall (LOA) using hook-and-line or pot gear based on NMFS’s determination that the trawl limited access sector will be unable to harvest all of the Pacific cod reallocated to that sector during the C season. The limited access trawl catcher vessel sector C season apportionment is therefore 6,488 mt.
NMFS is reallocating the projected unused amount of 1,000 mt of Pacific cod from trawl catcher vessels, 729 mt of Pacific cod from vessels using jig, and 242 mt of Pacific cod from catcher vessels greater than or equal to 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line gear to the annual amount specified for catcher vessels less than 60 feet (18.3 meters) LOA using hook-and-line or pot gear in the BSAI according to Jonathan M. Kurland, Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS.
The following table summarizes the reallocation in metric tons:
| PACIFIC COD | CURRENT SHARE | THIS ACTION | REVISED SHARE |
| Trawl Catcher Vessels | 28,083 | -1,000 | 27,083 |
| Jig Gear | 779 | -729 | 50 |
| Catcher Vessels ≥ 60 Feet LOA Using Hook-and-Line Gear | 252 | -242 | 10 |
| Catcher Vessels < 60 Feet LOA Using Hook-and-line or Pot Gear | 3,525 | +1,971 | 5,496 |
This action is necessary to allow the 2025 total allowable catch of Pacific cod in the BSAI to be harvested and is issued pursuant to 50 CFR 679.131(g), 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7)(iii)(A), and 50 CFR 679.20(a)(7)(iv)(C). Fishermen are reminded that all actions and closures remain in full force and effect. This reallocation does not rescind or modify closures to directed fishing or actions prohibiting retention of a groundfish species.
This information bulletin only provides notice of a fishery management action. For the purposes of complying with the requirements of this action, you are advised to see the actual text of the action in the Federal Register.
