🎣Amendment 125 Enhances Small Boat Access to Pacific Cod in Alaska
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Amendment 125 to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Fishery Management Plan; Pacific Cod Small Boat Access
Summary
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted amendment 125 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, amendment 125 would modify the BSAI Pacific cod jig sector to allow catch from catcher vessels (CV) using hook-and-line or pot gear that are less than or equal to 55 feet (ft) (16.8 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) harvesting Pacific cod in the BSAI during the jig gear A season to accrue to the jig sector allocation. Amendment 125 would promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), BSAI FMP, and other applicable laws.
Agencies
- Commerce Department
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Business Impact
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The amendment modifies access to fishery resources for smaller vessels, potentially increasing opportunities for small boat owners in the BSAI region to fish for Pacific cod. This could directly affect the financial and operational landscape for fishery businesses in this area by diversifying access and allocation strategies.