NMFS moves unused Western Gulf cod to pot and hook-and-line boats

NOAA Fisheries is moving Western Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod that trawl boats are projected to leave uncaught. Information Bulletin 26-43, issued Oct. 13, 2026, at 7:45 a.m., takes 550 metric tons from catcher vessels using trawl gear, cutting that share from 2,506 to 1,956 metric tons, and 100 metric tons from trawl catcher/processors, from 157 to 57 metric tons.

Those 650 metric tons go to other gears. Catcher vessels using hook-and-line rise from 91 to 341 metric tons. Vessels using pot gear rise from 2,480 to 2,880 metric tons. The point of the shift, under 50 CFR 679.20(a)(12)(ii)(B), is to let the 2026 Western Gulf Pacific cod total allowable catch be harvested.

The bulletin does not lift closures or retention bans already in place. Alaska Region Administrator Jonathan M. Kurland signed the action. The binding text is the Federal Register notice.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: NOAA Fisheries — IB 26-43, Western Gulf Pacific cod reallocation (Oct. 13, 2026).