Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Vessels Using Pot Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Key claim: NOAA Fisheries is shutting down directed Pacific cod fishing by pot-gear vessels in the Central Gulf of Alaska so that fleet does not exceed its 2026 catch limit.
Abstract
(Rule · Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) NMFS is prohibiting directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using pot gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the GOA.
Why this matters
In-season sector closures are the primary tool NMFS uses to keep Alaska groundfish harvests within annual catch limits, and the Central Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod fishery is a significant commercial fishery divided among gear sectors (trawl, hook-and-line, pot). This closure follows parallel 2026 closures of the trawl and hook-and-line sectors in the same area, indicating the Central GOA Pacific cod TAC is being fully attained across gear types this year.