Alaska pollock is harvested using mid-water trawl nets. These cone-shaped nets are specifically designed to minimize the impacts of fishing on the marine environment. Fishermen use sophisticated electronics to find and precisely target dense schools of Alaska pollock, boosting harvests and minimizing capture of non-targeted species. Sensors placed on the net inform the captain when the net is full, which minimizes tow time and preserves fish quality.
Alaska pollock fishing in the Bering Sea takes place during two seasons: The “A” Season, which runs from January through April, and includes roe harvesting; and the “B” Season, which runs from June through October. In the Gulf of Alaska, fishing is conducted in four seasons: The A Season begins January 20, the B Season on March 10, the C Season on August 25 and the D Season on October 1.
