Unalaska, AK – The catcher-vessel trawl sector for the Bering Sea-Aleutian Island Pacific cod fishery has finished its season. The National Marine Fisheries Service made the closure at noon on Saturday, and now the state-waters fishery will open up on Wednesday.

The total allowable catch for Pacific cod was set at just under 228,000 metric tons, and the trawl sector has harvested nearly 40,000 of that this A season. Now, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will be allowing vessels to harvest approximately 5,500 metric tons through April 1st. The federally managed B season will then open up that day.

The total allowable catch for Pacific cod jumped up 35% from last year, and pot cod vessels have reported having a particularly strong season.