The Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports that the Cook Inlet Area state-waters Pacific cod season will close to vessels greater than 58 feet in length and fishing with pot gear at 6:00 p.m. today (March 3). The state-waters season for vessels less than or equal to 58 feet in length and fishing with pot gear will remain open until closed by emergency order. The parallel Pacific cod season remains open to jig and longline vessels.
The Cook Inlet Area state-waters Pacific cod season opened to pot gear at 12:00 noon on February 17. The guideline harvest level (GHL) for the Cook Inlet Area state-waters Pacific cod season is 1,632,964 lb., with 85% or 1,388,019 lb allocated to vessels using pot gear and 15% or 244,945 lb. allocated to vessels using jig gear. The Cook Inlet Pacific Cod Management Plan (5 AAC 28.367) also restricts the Pacific cod state-waters season harvest by vessels greater than 58 feet in length and fishing with pot gear to 25% of the total GHL or 408,241 lb. Based upon current and projected harvest levels, the allowable harvest for pot vessels greater than 58 feet in length will be achieved. If there is GHL remaining after September 1, it may become available to all legal gear, with no vessel size restrictions, during a state-waters season. Fishers are reminded there is a 24-hour delivery time requirement following the closure of a groundfish fishery.
All pots must be unbaited, and doors open at the time of the closure. Pots must be removed from the water no later than five days following the closure.
