Data from opportunistic tagging studies in the southest Bering Sea 2002-2003. Individually numbered loop spaghetti tags released during research cruises; all recoveries from fishing industry. Main release groups in February 2003 at two locations: 1) N of Cape Sarichef, Unimak Island, and 2) off Amak Island, north of the Alaska peninsula. Other smaller releases at several locations in southeat Bering Sea from April 2002 to November 2003. Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) caught with commercial and research pot gear from depths of 50-150 meters; length of tagged fish primarily 50-80 cm. Data in MS Access format (digital tabular). Data include lat/long of capture and release locations, release date/time, fish length and condition at release. Recovery data includes location and date of recovery, recovering vessel and gear, fishery observer, recipient for tag reward. Most recovery locations in lat/lon to nearest minute, some to state or federal stat area only; variables code quality of recovery location and date info. Most records include length, weight, sex, and condition of recovered fish, some otoliths collected. Recoveries primarily documented by fishery observers on vessel or at delivery plant. Database includes tags recovered through Dec 2007. Total of 6871 tags released, 2634 tags recovered. Important caveats: 1) tags released opportunistically, not in design or associated with quantitative model, 2) most tage releases were in main commercial fishing ground during fishing season, assumptions of mixing with overall population are invalid, 3) all recoveries through industry, spatial and temporal distribution of recovery effort very non-uniform, some areas little or no effort. Raw data including coordinates of tag recoveries and vessel information are considered observer data and are confidential under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.