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Octopus Closed For Bycatch In Cook Inlet

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

Fishermen in the Cook Inlet area can no longer retain octopus as bycatch this season.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced last week the closure would start effective 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 12.

While there is no open season for directed fishing for octopus, fishermen may keep the species as bycatch.

According to Fish and Game, the annual guideline harvest level for the species is 35,000 pounds.

Based on reported harvests from fishermen in state waters so far this season, the department projected that GHL would be reached over the weekend.

For more information on the closure or any other Cook Inlet area fisheries, you can contact Fish and Game in Homer at 235-8191.