Federal Register #RTID 0648-XF926

NMFS Regulatory Action: Additional Halibut Fishing Period and Salmon Fishery Closure for 2026

This notice from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, announces regulatory changes for the 2026 Pacific halibut and salmon fisheries: - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Department of Commerce, NOAA, Office of Sustainable Fisheries - Regulatory Actions: - Additional fishing period for the 2026 Pacific halibut non-Tribal directed commercial fishery in IPHC Area 2A - Fishing period: August 18-20 - Catch limit: 5,000 pounds (2.27 metric tons) per vessel, dressed weight, for all vessel size classes - Purpose: To help the fleet achieve the annual non-Tribal directed commercial fishery allocation - Commercial salmon fishing closure in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area - Closure period: August 5-15 - Purpose: To prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch of 16,619 aggregate coho salmon - Corrections to regulatory text for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan Amendment 36 - No OEMs, vendors, or procurement of products/services are involved; this is a regulatory management action - No products, part numbers, or quantities are being procured

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces an inseason action for the 2026 Pacific halibut non-Tribal directed commercial fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's regulatory Area 2A. This action adds a fishing period from August 18 through August 20, 2026, with a catch limit of 5,000 pounds per vessel, dressed weight. The purpose is to provide additional opportunity for the fleet to achieve the 2026 non-Tribal directed commercial fishery allocation. The rule is effective from August 18 to August 20, 2026.

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