Aleut Corporation seeks partner for 2027 Aleutian Islands pollock allocation

The Aleut Corporation said Wednesday it is looking for a fishing partner to catch its 2027 Aleutian Islands pollock allocation, about 12,600 metric tons. This year, federal managers moved all of the corporation's pollock to the Bering Sea.

Congress set the pollock aside for the Aleut Corporation in 2004 to support economic development in Adak. "The allocation has seen little harvest, and its challenges are understood," the corporation's request for information says.

When the National Marine Fisheries Service determines the Aleutian pollock likely won't be caught, a federal rule lets it move the fish to the Bering Sea, where other fleets can catch them. In its February notice, the agency cited catch so far, future harvest needs reported by the Aleut Corporation and the capacity of Bering Sea fleets.

In 2025, the agency moved 12,100 of the corporation's 14,100 metric tons. This year, it moved the pollock in three steps, in February, April and August, until none of the corporation's allocation was left in the Aleutians. The Aleutian pollock stock assessment reports no directed pollock fishing in the Aleutians as of Aug. 8.

The corporation doesn't lease or sell its quota. Instead, it nominates vessels and processors to the fisheries service for approval and expects to be paid a royalty. By law, half the allocation, about 6,300 metric tons, is reserved for vessels 60 feet or shorter. The other half is open to vessels eligible under the American Fisheries Act, the law that governs the Bering Sea pollock fleet. The corporation will consider proposals for either half or both.

It wants partners with an identified market, a record of following regulations and the ability to operate safely in Aleutian conditions. Partners would also have to plan around Steller sea lion closures and a limit on rockfish caught alongside the pollock.

The request isn't a contract offer, and it says it "does not create any obligation" for the corporation or anyone who responds. Responses are due Nov. 30.

The 2027 numbers could change when final federal figures come out in early 2027. A higher scientific ceiling wouldn't make the allocation bigger, though. Scientists recommend a 2027 Aleutian pollock ceiling of 48,763 metric tons, but federal rules fix the Aleutian catch limit at 19,000 tons whenever the ceiling is that high or higher. Under the federal harvest specifications, the corporation gets what's left after 10% goes to the community development quota program and 4,500 tons are set aside for pollock caught in other fisheries.

The Aleut Corporation is an Alaska Native regional corporation with more than 5,000 Unangax̂ shareholders and descendants.