Federal Register #2026-08533

Final Rule: 2026 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and Recreational Fishery Management Measures

This final rule from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) establishes new management measures for the 2026 Pacific Halibut recreational fisheries in Regulatory Area 2A (off Washington, Oregon, and California): - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce - OEMs and Vendors: - International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is the primary referenced body, setting catch limits and allocations - Products/Services Requested: - No products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory action - Implements a fishery constant exploitation yield (FCEY) of 1.54 million pounds for Area 2A, based on a total constant exploitation yield (TCEY) of 1.65 million pounds - Sets management measures for the 2026 recreational halibut fisheries, including season open dates and subarea allocations - Details allocation frameworks for treaty Tribal and non-Tribal harvesters, as well as non-Tribal commercial and recreational fisheries - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Port-of-landing management and inseason transfer provisions - Adherence to federal regulations for allocation and management - Management measures may be modified inseason as needed - Places of Performance: - Regulatory Area 2A (waters off Washington, Oregon, and California) - NOAA as the contracting office

Description

This final rule approves changes to the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) for the International Pacific Halibut Commission's Regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. It implements management measures for the 2026 recreational fisheries in Regulatory Area 2A, including the recreational fishery season open dates and subarea allocations. The actions aim to conserve Pacific halibut while providing additional angler opportunities to achieve the Regulatory Area 2A allocation set by the IPHC.

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