The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has reopened directed fishing for Pacific cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska. This decision allows catcher vessels using trawl gear to fully utilize the 2021 season's allocation of Pacific cod. The fishing season will run from January 20, 2021, to June 10, 2021. This temporary rule modification was made to allow the use of remaining Pacific cod quotas and was not open to prior public comment due to the need for a timely response.
Simple Explanation
In the Gulf of Alaska, the rules have changed so that special boats can catch more of a fish called Pacific cod this year. This change was made quickly so the fish don't go to waste, but they didn't have time to ask people what they thought about it first.