Pacific Halibut Fisheries: 2026 Annual Catch Sharing Plan and Management Measures

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), acting on behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), has published binding federal regulations implementing the 2026 annual management measures for the Pacific halibut fishery. These measures were recommended by the IPHC and formally accepted by the U.S. Secretary of State with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce, making them enforceable law across U.S. waters. The regulations establish a Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) that allocates Pacific halibut harvest quotas among various fishing sectors operating along the U.S. West Coast and Alaska. The plan governs both commercial and recreational fishing operations, specifying allowable catch levels, gear restrictions, and seasonal windows designed to prevent overfishing. The primary conservation objective is to maintain sustainable Pacific halibut populations in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The IPHC coordinates management across the U.S.-Canada boundary, and the 2026 measures reflect the latest stock assessment data used to set biologically sound catch limits. Both the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) contributed to the goals embedded in these rules. Fishers, charter boat operators, and commercial license holders operating in IPHC Regulatory Areas 2A through 4D must comply with the updated measures effective for the 2026 fishing season. Non-compliance may result in permit suspension, fines, or seizure of catch.

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