The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA and the Commerce Department, has announced a temporary rule to stop directed fishing for Pacific cod by catcher vessels using trawl gear in a specific part of the Gulf of Alaska. This decision is to ensure the 2025 total allowable catch for this area is not exceeded and will be in effect from February 28, 2025, to June 10, 2025. The rule was enacted quickly without prior public notice or comment due to the urgent nature of the situation, based on data that became available in January 2025.
Simple Explanation
The people in charge of fish say that boats catching a type of fish called Pacific cod have to stop fishing in a part of Alaska called the Gulf of Alaska for a little while. This is like taking a break so there will be enough fish to catch later in the year.