The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is reallocating some of the Pacific cod quota in the Gulf of Alaska. This reallocation involves moving unused quota from trawl catcher vessels to hook-and-line catcher vessels that are 50 feet or longer, and to catcher/processors that use trawl gear. The change is effective from December 20, 2024, and aims to ensure the total allowable catch for Pacific cod is fully utilized. NMFS made this decision quickly, without public comment, because the most recent data required an immediate response.
Simple Explanation
In a big ocean area off Alaska, some fishers didn't use all their fish allowance for Pacific cod, so the fish bosses decided to give that leftover fish to different fishers with bigger boats and different fishing tools to make sure all the fish are caught.