Parallel Pacific Cod longliner season closes in PWS; opens in state waters

The Prince William Sound Area parallel Pacific cod season closed on March 15, coinciding with the federal closure of the Pacific cod less than 50 feet in length hook and line gear sector in federal Gulf of Alaska waters, the PWS parallel Pacific cod season remains open to vessels using gig gear.

The PWS parallel Pacific cod season remains open to jig gear, state Department of Fish and Game fisheries biologists said.

The PWS state waters Pacific cod season opens at noon March 22, seven days after closure of the longline season for vessels less than 50 feet in length, under the PWS Pacific Cod Management Plan.

The total guideline harvest level for the PWS state waters season is 1.7 million pounds of Pacific cod with 85% or1.5 million pounds allocated to longline gear.

The PWS state waters Pacific cod season remains open to vessels using pot gear.

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