Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; 2026 Catch Sharing Plan; Inseason Action
Key claim: NMFS is adding August and September 2026 fishing dates for the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the Columbia River and Washington subareas of IPHC Area 2A to help achieve the established recreational allocations.
Abstract
(Rule · Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) NMFS announces an inseason action for the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission’s (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. This action adds fishing dates in August and September in the Columbia River and Washington subareas. These actions are intended to provide additional fishing opportunity for anglers in 2026 and are necessary to achieve the overall recreational fishery allocations for Area 2A established in the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Council) 2026 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and the 2026 IPHC regulations.
Why this matters
NMFS is adding August and September 2026 fishing dates for the Pacific halibut recreational fishery in the Columbia River and Washington subareas of IPHC Area 2A to help achieve the established recreational allocations.