Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-16077
Regulatory Adjustments for 2026 Pacific Halibut and Salmon Commercial Fisheries
Buyer
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Posted
August 06, 2026
Identifier
2026-16077
This regulatory action by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under the Department of Commerce and NOAA, introduces temporary changes to commercial fishing operations for 2026: - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Sustainable Fisheries - OEMs and Vendors: - No commercial OEMs or vendors are involved; only NOAA and NMFS as regulatory agencies - Products/Services Requested: - No products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory adjustment - Key Regulatory Actions: - Adds an additional fishing period for the 2026 Pacific halibut non-Tribal directed commercial fishery in IPHC Area 2A - Catch limit: 5,000 pounds (dressed weight) per vessel for all vessel size classes - Fishing period: August 18-20, 2026 - Prohibits commercial salmon fishing in the Cook Inlet EEZ Area from August 5-15, 2026 - Purpose: Prevent exceeding the 2026 total allowable catch of 16,619 aggregate coho salmon - Corrects regulatory text omissions related to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan Amendment 36 - Unique/Notable Requirements: - The action is temporary and specific to the 2026 fishing season - No procurement of goods or services; only regulatory changes affecting commercial fishing operations
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 a temporary inseason adjustment to the fishery management plan.