Federal Register #2026-05803

2026 Pacific Halibut Fishery Management Measures Announced by NOAA

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, has published the 2026 annual management measures for the Pacific halibut fishery, implementing recommendations from the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS Alaska and West Coast Regions - OEMs and Key Organizations: - International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) (regulatory authority, not a commercial OEM) - Products/Services Requested: - No commercial products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory action - Management measures specify catch limits (TCEY) for Pacific halibut by regulatory area: - Area 2A (California, Oregon, Washington): 1,650,000 lb - Area 2B (British Columbia): 5,060,000 lb - Area 2C (Southeastern Alaska): 5,220,000 lb - Area 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska): 9,080,000 lb - Area 3B (Western Gulf of Alaska): 2,860,000 lb - Area 4A (Eastern Aleutians): 1,340,000 lb - Area 4B (Central/Western Aleutians): 1,040,000 lb - Areas 4CDE (Bering Sea): 3,080,000 lb - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Applies to commercial, recreational, tribal, and charter fisheries - Includes fishery opening/closing dates, size and bag limits, charter vessel restrictions, and catch sharing plans - Vessel clearance and reporting requirements for certain fisheries and tribal groups - In-season regulatory adjustments may be made as necessary - Key Locations: - Regulatory areas span California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, and the Bering Sea - Federal offices and facilities involved include NMFS offices in Juneau, AK and Long Beach, CA, and the IPHC in Seattle, WA - Specific places of performance include Nazan Bay (Atka Island), Dutch Harbor, Akutan, St. Paul, St. George, and Adak, all in Alaska

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on behalf of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), has published the 2026 annual management measures governing the Pacific halibut fishery. These regulations, recommended by the IPHC and accepted by the Secretary of State with concurrence from the Secretary of Commerce, aim to enhance conservation efforts and support the objectives of the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. The measures include fishery limits, opening and closing dates, size limits, and other regulatory provisions for the 2026 fishing season. The regulations became effective on March 12, 2026, and remain in effect until superseded.

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