Small fishing boats can now use more gear types to catch Pacific cod in Alaska

Rules for catching Pacific cod in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands are changing. Small fishing boats, 55 feet or less, can now use hook-and-line or pot gear to catch cod during the jig gear season.

This change means smaller fishing operations have more flexibility in how they catch Pacific cod. Previously, these boats were restricted to jig gear during a specific season, limiting their options and potentially their catch. Now, they can use more efficient gear types, which could help them compete better with larger vessels.