US Sharply Raises Fishing Quota for Pacific Cod in the Gulf of Alaska
- Easy Seafood
- Feb 11
- 2 min read
On February 6, 2026, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) held a meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, and officially proposed raising the total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod in the U.S. Gulf of Alaska to 30,053 metric tons, a substantial increase of approximately 37% from the previously set 21,826 metric tons, marking a notable shift in the local fishing policy for Pacific cod.
The upward adjustment of the quota stemmed from the interruption of funding caused by the unprecedented prolonged shutdown of the U.S. federal government in 2025, which prevented the relevant scientific research system from completing the bottom trawl resource survey as scheduled. Consequently, the originally planned 2026 quota was formulated based on outdated data and even saw an 8% year-on-year decline, sparking widespread discontent within the fishing industry. A supplementary assessment of the latest survey data from 2025, however, revealed that the biomass of Pacific cod was significantly higher than previously estimated. Relevant authorities also raised the acceptable biological catch (ABC), providing a scientific basis for the quota adjustment.
The fishing industry has expressed approval of this quota hike, holding that as a "cornerstone species" of the local commercial fishery, Pacific cod with a higher quota will bring much-needed stability to fishing fleets, onshore processing plants and related skilled workers, and help ensure the predictability of the fishing season. Frontline practitioners also stated that they have clearly felt a recovery in Pacific cod resources during actual operations in recent years, and the new survey data aligns with the actual conditions at sea.
Nevertheless, regulatory agencies and researchers have also issued cautious signals, pointing out that the continuous warming of seawater remains a medium and long-term risk. If the high temperature persists in 2026, its cumulative effect may further impact the entire food web structure in addition to Pacific cod resources. The meeting also initially set the tentative TAC of Pacific cod in this area for 2027 at 23,358 metric tons, a figure that will be reviewed again in December 2026 based on the latest assessment results.
From the perspective of the global white fish market, the U.S. quota hike is expected to ease the expectation of raw material shortage to some extent in the short term. However, affected by climatic and ecological risks, its actual impact on the international
Pacific cod supply pattern remains to be observed on an ongoing basis.
Comments