Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; 2026 Catch Sharing Plan; Inseason Action
Key claim: NMFS adds six fishing dates in June 2026 to the Columbia River subarea of the Pacific halibut recreational fishery to help anglers fully utilize the 2026 Area 2A catch limits under the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Catch Sharing Plan.
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 (June 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23) in the Columbia River subarea. These additional fishing dates are intended to provide additional opportunity for anglers to achieve the overall recreational fishery allocations in the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Council) 2026 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and to promote full utilization of the 2026 Area 2A Pacific halibut catch limits.
Why this matters
NMFS adds six fishing dates in June 2026 to the Columbia River subarea of the Pacific halibut recreational fishery to help anglers fully utilize the 2026 Area 2A catch limits under the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Catch Sharing Plan.