2026 Annual Management Measures for Area 2A Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing annual management measures for the 2026 non-Tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery operating south of Point Chehalis, Washington (lat. 46°53.30' N), within IPHC Regulatory Area 2A. This area covers the Pacific halibut fishing grounds off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. The proposed measures establish specific fishing periods and fishing period limits designed to regulate harvest levels for the upcoming season. These temporal and catch restrictions are the primary tools used to manage access to the halibut stock in this region while ensuring conservation goals are met. The action is driven by the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) framework, under which the U.S. is allocated a portion of the total allowable catch for Area 2A. The proposed rules translate that allocation into enforceable season structures for non-Tribal commercial fishermen operating in the defined geographic area. The overarching objective is to conserve Pacific halibut stocks while providing fishing opportunity to the extent the resource allows, balancing ecological sustainability with commercial access for the 2026 season.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.