Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; Inseason Action for the 2026 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery
Key claim: NOAA is adding a three-day commercial Pacific halibut fishing window off the U.S. West Coast (September 15–17, 2026) with a 5,000-pound per-vessel limit so boats can catch more of their unused 2026 quota.
Abstract
(Rule · Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) NMFS announces an inseason action for the 2026 Pacific halibut non-Tribal directed commercial fishery in the International Pacific Halibut Commission’s (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A. This action adds a fishing period, September 15 through September 17, 2026, with a fishing period catch limit of 5,000 pounds (lb) (2.27 metric tons (mt)) per vessel, dressed weight. This action is intended to provide additional opportunity for the fleet to achieve the 2026 non-Tribal directed commercial fishery allocation.
Why this matters
NOAA is adding a three-day commercial Pacific halibut fishing window off the U.S. West Coast (September 15–17, 2026) with a 5,000-pound per-vessel limit so boats can catch more of their unused 2026 quota.