The latest Alaska Department of Fish and Game Pacific cod update reports cod meeting or exceeding expectations in terms of effort and catch rates.

Wayne Donaldson of Fish and Game said he expects the fishery to remain open through the fall and possibly longer, depending on effort, weather conditions and the price of cod.

Donaldson said the state waters fishery closed at the end of August, after which the federal parallel fishery opened and ran through September. The state fishery then re-opened in early October.

Donaldson said there is plenty of cod left to be caught before the state-mandated guideline harvest level for Pacific cod is met.

“For the state waters Pacific cod fishery around Kodiak, there’s roughly 2 million pounds left,” Donaldson said. “So that will probably continue for the better part of the year, if not the entire year. We’re just kind of chugging along.”

Donaldson estimates there are roughly 10 to 12 boats currently participating in the fishery.

He said changing weather conditions are likely to play a role in determining how long the fishery remains open.

“When the storms come through, it kind of slows them down,” Donaldson said. “It just depends. The weather’s going to get worse as the fall goes on.”

He said price is also a factor.

“I don’t know what the price of cod is going to do,” he said. “But the boats that are involved will be able to stay at it most of the fall if the catch rates stay up.”