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 11:59 p.m. March 5. 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 vessels fishing with jig gear and to vessels greater than or equal to 50 feet in length fishing with longline gear.
The guideline harvest level (GHL) for the Cook Inlet Area Pacific cod state-waters season is 1,226,046 lb, with 85% or 1,042,139 lb allocated to vessels using pot gear and 15% or 183,907 lb allocated to vessels using jig gear. In addition, only 25% of the GHL or 306,511 lb may be harvested by vessels using pot gear that are greater than 58 feet in length.
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.
