Effective: Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Trawl Gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a temporary rule to prohibit directed fishing for Pacific cod by American Fisheries Act (AFA) trawl catcher/processors within the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) management area. This regulatory action is taken to ensure that the annual 2026 total allowable catch (TAC) allocated to this specific fleet is not exceeded. The closure is effective as of 1200 hours, Alaska local time, on July 20, 2026. The prohibition will remain in place through 1200 hours, Alaska local time, on December 31, 2026, covering the remainder of the calendar year.