NMFS Reallocates Projected Non-Use of Pacific Cod to Hook-And-Line Gear

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) has announced the reallocation of the projected unused Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear and catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska.

The decision, effective since Nov. 4, is in effect through Dec. 31. NMFS officials said this action was necessary to allow the 2024 total allowable catch of Pacific cod to be harvested.

The groundfish fishery in the Gulf of Alaska is managed according to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska. The plan is prepared by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

An announcement in the Federal Register said that the regional administrator for the Alaska Region of NMFS determined that catcher vessels using trawl gear would not be able to harvest 440 metric tons of the 2024 Pacific cod TAC allocated to those vessels.

Therefore, NMFS apportioned 240 metric tons of Pacific cod from catcher vessels using trawl gear to the annual amount specified for catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear and 200 metric tons to catcher vessels using hook-and-line bear.

The 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher vessels using trawl gear in the Western Regulatory area of the Gulf is 2,268 metric tons, as established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the Gulf.

The 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher vessels using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf is 83 metric tons, as established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the Gulf,

The 2024 Pacific cod TAC specified for catcher/processors using hook-and-line gear in the Western Regulatory Area of GOA is 1,170 metric tons, also established by the final 2024 and 2025 harvest specifications for groundfish in the Gulf.

Source: https://fishermensnews.com/nmfs-reallocates-projected-non-use-of-pacific-cod-to-hook-and-line-gear/