Proposed Rule2026-05801
Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; 2026 Catch Sharing Plan and Recreational Fishery Management Measures
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 25, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
NMFS proposes to approve changes to the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) for the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. In addition, NMFS proposes to implement management measures for the 2026 recreational fisheries in Area 2A that are not implemented through IPHC regulations. These measures include the recreational fishery seasons and subarea allocations for Area 2A. These actions are intended to conserve Pacific halibut and provide angler opportunity where available.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14511-14516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-05801]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 300
[RTID 0648-XF353; Docket No. 260319-0084]
Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; 2026 Catch Sharing
Plan and Recreational Fishery Management Measures
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to approve changes to the Pacific Halibut Catch
Sharing Plan (CSP) for the International Pacific Halibut Commission's
(IPHC) regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. In
addition, NMFS proposes to implement management measures for the 2026
recreational fisheries in Area 2A that are not implemented through IPHC
regulations. These measures include the recreational fishery seasons
and subarea allocations for Area 2A. These actions are intended to
conserve Pacific halibut and provide angler opportunity where
available.
DATES: Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before
April 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: A plain language summary of this proposed rule is available
at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NMFS-2025-1131">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NMFS-2025-1131</a>. You may submit
comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2025-1131, by either
of the following methods:
<bullet> Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Visit <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and type NOAA-NMFS-2025-1131 in the Search box.
Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter
or attach your comments.
<bullet> Mail: Submit written comments to Jennifer Quan, Regional
Administrator, c/o Melissa Mandrup, West Coast Region, NMFS, 8901 La
Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037.
Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period,
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> without change. All personal identifying
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information,
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous).
Docket: This proposed rule is accessible at the Office of the
Federal Register website at <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov">https://www.federalregister.gov</a>. Background
information and documents are available at the NMFS West Coast Region
Pacific Halibut Recreational Fishery website at <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/2025-pacific-halibut-recreational-fishery">https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/2025-pacific-halibut-recreational-fishery</a>
and at the Pacific Fishery Management Council's website at <a href="https://www.pcouncil.org">https://www.pcouncil.org</a>. Other comments received may be accessed through
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Mandrup, West Coast Region,
NMFS, 562-980-3231, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6f020a03061c1c0e41020e010b1d1a1f2f01000e0e41080019"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b6dbd3dadfc5c5d798dbd7d8d2c4c3c6f6d8d9d7d798d1d9c0">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Northern Pacific Halibut Act of 1982 (Halibut Act), 16 U.S.C.
773-773k, gives the Secretary of Commerce responsibility for
implementing the provisions of the Halibut Convention between Canada
and the United States for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of
the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Halibut Convention, signed at
Ottawa, Ontario, on March 2, 1953), as amended by a Protocol Amending
the Halibut Convention, (signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979),
including the responsibility to adopt regulations to carry out the Act
(16 U.S.C. 773c). Additionally, the Halibut Act provides that the
regional fishery management council with authority for the geographic
area concerned may develop regulations governing Pacific halibut
fishing in U.S. waters that are in addition to, and not in conflict
with, approved IPHC regulations (id. 773c(c)). Such regulations may be
implemented only with the approval of the Secretary of Commerce.
As provided in the Halibut Act at 16 U.S.C. 773b, the Secretary of
State, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Commerce, may accept or
reject, on behalf of the United States, regulations recommended by the
IPHC in accordance with the Halibut Convention. Following acceptance by
the Secretary of State, the annual management measures promulgated by
the IPHC are published in the Federal Register to provide notice of
their immediate regulatory effectiveness and to inform persons subject
to the regulations of their restrictions and requirements (50 CFR
300.62). The IPHC held its annual meeting January 19-22, 2026, where it
recommended the Area 2A catch limit, also known as the Fishery Constant
Exploitation Yield (FCEY), for 2026 of 1.54 million pounds (lb) or 699
metric tons (mt). This FCEY is derived from the total constant
exploitation yield (TCEY) for Pacific halibut, which includes
commercial discards and bycatch estimates calculated using a formula
developed by the IPHC. The 2026 TCEY of 1.65 million lb (748 mt) and
FCEY of 1.54
[[Page 14512]]
million lb (699 mt) for Area 2A, as well as other applicable Area 2A
allocations that are established by the IPHC in accordance with the
Area 2A CSP, will be published as part of a separate rulemaking. These
allocations, in net weight,\1\ will be based on IPHC's recommended Area
2A FCEY of 1.54 million lb (699 mt) for 2026 and will be subject to
acceptance by the Secretary of State with concurrence by the Secretary
of Commerce.
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\1\ ``Net weight'' of a Pacific halibut means the weight of a
Pacific halibut that is without gills and entrails, head-off,
washed, and without ice and slime. If a Pacific halibut is weighed
with the head on or with ice and slime, the required conversion
factors for calculating net weight are a 2 percent deduction for ice
and slime and a 10 percent deduction for the head (IPHC Fisheries
Regulations, 2025).
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Since 1988, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has
developed a CSP that allocates the IPHC regulatory Area 2A Pacific
halibut FCEY between treaty Tribal and non-Tribal harvesters and among
non-Tribal commercial and recreational fisheries. NMFS has implemented
certain provisions of the CSP, and implemented annual rules containing
annual management measures consistent with the CSP, at 50 CFR 300.63 et
seq. In 1995, the Council recommended and NMFS approved a long-term
Area 2A CSP (60 FR 14651, March 20, 1995). NMFS has been approving
adjustments to the Area 2A CSP based on Council recommendations each
year to address the changing needs of these fisheries. While the full
CSP is not published in the Federal Register, it is made available on
the Council website.
This rule proposes to approve the changes to the Area 2A CSP for
the 2026 fishing year that the Council recommended at a special session
meeting in December 2025. The recommended changes to the 2026 CSP were
developed through the Council's public process over multiple meetings.
This rule also proposes to implement recreational Pacific halibut
fishery management measures for 2026, including certain season opening
and closing dates for the Area 2A subareas, which are consistent with
2026 CSP as modified by the Council's recommendations at its special
session meeting in December 2025. For 2026, certain season opening and
closing dates for Area 2A subareas will be implemented through the
annual IPHC regulations.
Proposed Changes to the 2026 Area 2A Catch Sharing Plan
Each year at the Council's September meeting, members of the public
have an opportunity to propose changes to the CSP for consideration by
the Council. At the September 2025 Council meeting, the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife (ODFW), and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
proposed changes to the CSP for the fisheries that occur off of their
respective coasts.
At its November 2025 meeting and December 2025 special session
meeting, the Council considered the recommendations from the State
agencies, including results of State-sponsored workshops, regarding
proposed changes to the CSP, along with public input provided at
multiple Council meetings, and made its recommendations for annual
modifications to the CSP. NMFS proposes to approve the following
Council-recommended changes to the 2026 CSP:
1. Section 6.9.3(d)--modify the season structure in the Washington
South Coast subarea to allow for fishing 4 days per week in May
(Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday).
2. Section 6.10(a)--modify the depth areas in the Columbia River
subarea by removing the nearshore fishery and allocating the 500 lb
(0.2 mt) to the all-depth fishery.
3. Section 6.11(d)(i)--modify the season structure in the Oregon
Central Coast subarea by opening the nearshore season May 1, 7 days per
week, only in waters shoreward of the 40-fathom (73-meter) regulatory
line, unless the Area 2A FCEY is less than 1.2 million lb (544.3 mt),
in which case the opening may be postponed until June 1.
4. Section 6.11(d)(ii)--modify the all-depth and nearshore fishery
allocations in the Oregon Central Coast subarea by allocating 75
percent of the subarea allocation to the spring all-depth fishery,
regardless of the Area 2A FCEY, and (1) if the Area 2A FCEY is 700,000
lb (317.5 mt) or greater, allocating 10,000 lb (4.5 mt) to the
nearshore fishery with the remaining subarea allocation to the summer
all-depth fishery, or (2) if the Area 2A FCEY is less than 700,000 lb
(317.5 mt), allocating the remaining 25 percent of the subarea
allocation to the nearshore fishery.
5. Sections 6.12.1(d) and 6.12.2(d)--modify the season structures
in the California Coast subareas to have the flexibility to open in
April.
Additional discussion of these changes is included in the materials
submitted to the Council at its September, November, and December
meetings, available at <a href="https://www.pcouncil.org/council-meetings/previous-meetings/">https://www.pcouncil.org/council-meetings/previous-meetings/</a>. A version of the CSP including these changes can be
found at <a href="https://www.pcouncil.org/managed_fishery/pacific-halibut/">https://www.pcouncil.org/managed_fishery/pacific-halibut/</a>.
Proposed 2026 Recreational Fishery Management Measures
As described above, NMFS proposes to implement recreational fishery
management measures, including certain season dates for the 2026
fishery, consistent with the Council's recommendations. The CSP
includes a framework for setting days open for fishing by subarea.
Under this framework, each State submits its final recommended season
dates annually to NMFS during the comment period on this proposed rule.
In addition, the final dates are based on the 2026 FCEY Area 2A
allocation, which is issued as described above. Accordingly, this
proposed rule contains the preliminary season dates for the Area 2A
subareas, based on the CSP framework and recommendations from the
States that have been received to date.
After the opportunity for public comment, NMFS will publish a final
rule approving the CSP and promulgating the annual management measures
for the Area 2A recreational fishery, as required by implementing
regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c)(1). If there is any discrepancy between
the CSP and Federal regulations, Federal regulations take precedence.
For Area 2A, NMFS proposes 2026 recreational fishing subarea
allocations and fishing dates as described below. Fishery and subarea
allocations are provided in net weight. All recreational fishing in
Area 2A is managed on a ``port of landing'' basis, whereby any Pacific
halibut landed into a port counts toward the allocation, in net weight,
for the subarea in which that port is located, and the regulations
governing the subarea of landing apply regardless of the specific area
of catch.
The provisions contained in this rule may be modified through
inseason action consistent with 50 CFR 300.63(c). For example, subarea
allocations may be transferred between subareas within a State inseason
in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63--paragraphs
(c)(6)(i)(C), (c)(6)(i)(D), and (c)(6)(i)(E)--and from one State to
another inseason in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR
300.63(c)(6)(i)(G). Inseason actions taken by NMFS will be published in
the Federal Register. In addition to publication in the Federal
Register, NMFS will make the public aware of inseason management
actions by telephone hotline, (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825, and
fishery bulletins
[[Page 14513]]
administered through email by NMFS West Coast Region. Recreational
anglers are encouraged to monitor the telephone hotline and subscribe
to receive fishery bulletin emails for current information for the
subarea in which they are landing fish.
Washington Puget Sound and the U.S. Convention Waters in the Strait of
Juan de Fuca
Subarea Allocation
The subarea allocation for landings into ports in Puget Sound and
the U.S. Convention Waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca will be
provided in the final rule based on the allocation formula in the CSP.
Season Structure
If the 2026 Area 2A FCEY is 1.3 million lb (589.7 mt) or greater,
consistent with the 2026 IPHC regulations, NMFS is proposing to open
the subarea from April 2 through June 30, 7 days per week. If the
subarea allocation remains for at least another full day of fishing
after June 30, NMFS may take inseason action to reopen the fishery in
August through September, up to 7 days per week. The area will be
closed when there is not sufficient subarea allocation for another full
day of fishing. If the subarea season is closed prior to September 30
and there is insufficient allocation for an additional fishing day,
NMFS may take inseason action to transfer any remaining subarea
allocation to another Washington coastal subarea.
If the 2026 Area 2A FCEY is less than 1.3 million lb (589.7 mt),
then NMFS proposes to open the subarea every Thursday, Friday,
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from April 2 through June 30. If the
subarea allocation remains for at least another full day of fishing
after June 30, NMFS may take inseason action to reopen the subarea in
August through September, up to 7 days per week. The area will be
closed when there is not sufficient subarea allocation for another full
day of fishing. If the subarea season is closed prior to September 30
and there is insufficient allocation for an additional fishing day,
NMFS may take inseason action to transfer any remaining subarea
allocation to another Washington subarea.
Any inseason action, including closures and reallocation, will be
announced in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c)
and on the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
Landing Restrictions
The daily bag limit is one Pacific halibut of any size per person.
Washington North Coast Subarea
Subarea Allocation
The allocation for landings into ports in the Washington North
Coast subarea will be provided in the final rule based on the
allocation formula in the CSP.
Season Structure
If the Area 2A 2026 FCEY is 1.3 million lb (589.7 mt) or greater,
NMFS is proposing to open the subarea:
<bullet> April 30 (Thursday),
<bullet> May 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, (Thursday, Friday,
Saturday),
<bullet> May 22, 23, 24, (Friday, Saturday, Sunday--Memorial Day
weekend),
<bullet> May 28, 29, 30 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday),
<bullet> June 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26,
27, 28 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
If the subarea allocation remains for at least another full day of
fishing after June 30, NMFS may take inseason action to reopen the
fishery in August through September, up to 7 days per week. The subarea
will be closed when there is not sufficient subarea allocation for
another full day of fishing. If the fishery is closed prior to
September 30 and there is insufficient allocation remaining to reopen
for another fishing day, NMFS may take inseason action to transfer any
remaining allocation to another Washington subarea.
If the 2026 Area 2A FCEY is less than 1.3 million lb (589.7 mt),
then NMFS is proposing to open the subarea:
<bullet> April 30 (Thursday),
<bullet> May 2, 7, 9, 14, 16 (Thursday, Saturday),
<bullet> May 22, 24 (Friday, Sunday--Memorial Day weekend),
<bullet> May 28, 30 (Thursday, Saturday),
<bullet> June 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26,
27, 28 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
If the subarea allocation remains for at least another full day of
fishing after June 30, NMFS may take inseason action to reopen the
fishery in August through September, up to 7 days per week. The subarea
will be closed when there is not sufficient subarea allocation for
another full day of fishing. If the fishery is closed prior to
September 30 and there is insufficient allocation remaining to reopen
for another fishing day, NMFS may take inseason action to transfer any
remaining allocation to another Washington subarea.
Any inseason action, including closures and reallocation, will be
announced in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c)
and on the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
Landing Restrictions
The daily bag limit is one Pacific halibut of any size per person.
Washington South Coast Subarea
Subarea Allocation
The allocation for landings into ports in the Washington South
Coast subarea will be provided in the final rule based on the
allocation formula in the CSP. The South Coast subarea has a primary
and a nearshore fishery.
Season Structure
NMFS is proposing to open the primary fishery:
<bullet> April 30 (Thursday),
<bullet> May 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26,
28, 29, 31 (Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Tuesday),
<bullet> June 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30
(Thursday, Sunday, Tuesday).
The fishery will close when there is not sufficient subarea
allocation for another full day of fishing. However, if the subarea
allocation remains for at least another full day of fishing after June
30, NMFS may take inseason action to reopen the fishery in August
through September, up to 7 days per week. The subarea will be closed
when there is not sufficient subarea allocation for another full day of
fishing.
When the primary fishery does not have sufficient allocation to
open for at least another full day of fishing, any remaining primary
fishery allocation will be used to open a nearshore fishery. The
nearshore fishery will open the first Saturday after the closure of the
primary fishery and will be open 7 days per week until there is not
sufficient nearshore fishery allocation remaining for another full day
of fishing, at which point the subarea will be closed.
If the primary fishery is closed prior to September 30 and there is
not sufficient allocation remaining for at least a full day of fishing
in the nearshore fishery, NMFS may take inseason action to transfer any
remaining subarea allocation to another Washington subarea.
Any inseason action, including closures and reallocation, will be
announced in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c)
and on the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
Landing Restrictions
The daily bag limit is one Pacific halibut of any size per person.
[[Page 14514]]
Columbia River Subarea
Subarea Allocation
The allocation for landings into ports in the Columbia River
subarea will be provided in the final rule based on the allocation
formula in the CSP. The Columbia River subarea has an all-depth fishery
and a nearshore fishery.
Season Structure
If the 2026 Area 2A FCEY is 1.3 million lb (589.7 mt) or greater,
NMFS proposes to open the all-depth fishery as follows:
<bullet> April 30 (Thursday),
<bullet> May 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29, 31
(Thursday, Friday, Sunday),
<bullet> June 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28
(Thursday, Friday, Sunday).
If at least 55 percent of the Columbia River subarea allocation
remains as of May 25, 2026, then NMFS may take inseason action to allow
the all-depth fishery to open the following additional days:
<bullet> June 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 (Monday, Tuesday).
If the 2026 Area 2A FCEY is less than 1.3 million lb (589.7 mt),
NMFS proposes to open the all-depth fishery as follows:
<bullet> April 30 (Thursday),
<bullet> May 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29, 31
(Thursday, Friday, Sunday),
<bullet> June 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 21, 25, 26, 28
(Thursday, Friday, Sunday).
If the subarea allocation remains for at least another full day of
fishing after June 30, NMFS may take inseason action to reopen the
fishery in August through September, up to 7 days per week. The area
will be closed when there is not sufficient subarea allocation for
another full day of fishing. Any remaining subarea allocation may be
transferred inseason to other Washington or Oregon subareas by NMFS in
proportion to the allocation formula in the CSP, in accordance with
Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c). Any inseason action, including
closures and reallocation, will be announced in accordance with Federal
regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c) and on the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-
6667 or (800) 662-9825.
Landing Restrictions
The daily bag limit is one Pacific halibut of any size per person.
Oregon Central Coast Subarea
Subarea Allocation
The allocation for landings into ports in the Oregon Central Coast
subarea will be provided in the final rule based on the allocation
formula in the CSP. The Oregon Central Coast subarea has a nearshore, a
spring all-depth, and a summer all-depth fishery.
Season Structure
For the nearshore fishery allocation, if the Area 2A FCEY is
700,000 lb (317.5 mt) or greater, NMFS proposes to allocate 10,000 lb
(4.5 mt) to this fishery; if less than 700,000 lb (317.5 mt), NMFS
proposes to allocate 25 percent of the Oregon Central Coast allocation
to this fishery. For the nearshore fishery season structure, NMFS
proposes to open the fishery from May 1 through October 31, 7 days per
week. However, if the FCEY is less than 1.2 million lb (544.3 mt), then
the nearshore fishery may be postponed and open on June 1. The fishery
will be closed when there is not sufficient fishery allocation for
another full day of fishing.
For the spring all-depth fishery allocation, regardless of the Area
2A FCEY, NMFS proposes 75 percent of the Central Coast subarea
allocation be allocated to this fishery. For the spring all-depth
fishery season structure, NMFS proposes to open the spring all-depth
fishery from May 1 through July 31, up to 7 days per week. The fishery
will be closed when there is not sufficient fishery allocation for
another full day of fishing.
For the summer all-depth fishery, if the Area 2A FCEY is 700,000 lb
(317.5 mt) or greater, NMFS proposes 25 percent of the Central Coast
subarea allocation, less the 10,000 lb (4.5 mt) allocated to the
nearshore fishery, be allocated to the summer all-depth fishery.
However, if the Area 2A FCEY is less than 700,000 lb (317.5 mt), the
summer all-depth fishery will not receive an allocation (i.e., does not
open) and the spring all-depth fishery will continue through October
31. The all-depth fishery will be closed when there is not sufficient
fishery allocation for another full day of fishing. Should the summer
all-depth fishery receive an allocation, NMFS is proposing to open the
summer all-depth fishery from August 1 through October 31, 7 days a
week; however, the weeks the fishery is open depends on the remaining
amount of allocation from the nearshore and spring all-depth fisheries
by July 31, the close of the spring all-depth fishery. If there is
50,000 lb (22.7 mt) or more allocation remaining, NMFS proposes to open
the summer all-depth fishery from August 1 through October 31, 7 days
per week, every week. If there is less than 50,000 lb (22.7 mt)
allocation remaining, NMFS proposes to open the summer all-depth
fishery from August 1 through October 31, 7 days per week, every other
week. If the entire Oregon Central Coast subarea allocation is 30,000
lb (13.6 mt) or more following Labor Day Weekend, the summer all-depth
season will be open 7 days per week every week. The subarea will close
when the remaining combined spring all-depth fishery and summer all-
depth fishery allocations in the Oregon Central Coast subarea is not
sufficient for another full day of fishing. If the Oregon Central Coast
subarea is not projected to utilize its allocation by the season ending
date, NMFS may take inseason action to transfer any projected unused
allocation to another Oregon subarea.
Any inseason action, including closures and reallocation, will be
announced in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c)
and on the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
Landing Restrictions
The daily bag limit is one Pacific halibut of any size per person.
Southern Oregon Coast Subarea
Subarea Allocation
The allocation for landings into ports in the Southern Oregon Coast
subarea will be provided in the final rule based on the allocation
formula in the CSP.
Season Structure
NMFS is proposing to open the subarea from May 1 through October
31, 7 days per week, or until there is not sufficient subarea
allocation for another full day of fishing, at which point the area
will be closed. If the Southern Oregon Coast subarea is not projected
to utilize its allocation by the season ending date, NMFS may take
inseason action to transfer any projected unused allocation to another
Oregon subarea.
Any inseason action, including closures and reallocation, will be
announced in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c)
and on the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
Landing Restrictions
The daily bag limit is one Pacific halibut of any size per person.
Northern California Coast Subarea
Subarea Allocation
The allocation for landings into ports in the Northern California
Coast subarea will be provided in the final rule based on the
allocation formula in the CSP.
Season Structure
Consistent with the 2026 IPHC regulations, NMFS is proposing to
open
[[Page 14515]]
the subarea from April 1 through November 15, 7 days per week, or until
there is not sufficient subarea allocation for another full day of
fishing, at which point the area will be closed. If the Northern
California subarea is not projected to utilize its respective
allocation prior to or by the season ending date, NMFS may take
inseason action to transfer any projected unused allocation to the
South of Point Arena subarea.
Any inseason action, including closures and reallocation, will be
announced in accordance with Federal regulations at 50 CFR 300.63(c)
and on the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
Landing Restrictions
The daily bag limit is one Pacific halibut of any size per person.
South of Point Arena Subarea
Subarea Allocation
The allocation for landings into ports in the South of Point Arena
subarea will be provided in the final rule based on the allocation
formula in the CSP.
Season Structure
Consistent with the 2026 IPHC regulations, NMFS is proposing to
open the subarea from April 1 through December 31, 7 days per week, or
until there is not sufficient subarea allocation for another full day
of fishing, at which point the area will be closed. NMFS will announce
any closure in accordance with Federal procedures at 50 CFR
300.63(c)(3) and on the NMFS hotline (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825.
Landing Restrictions
The daily bag limit is one Pacific halibut of any size per person.
Allocation Transfers Between the Area 2A States
Transfers of unused allocation between States may also occur
through inseason action in accordance to Federal regulations at 50 CFR
300.63(c)(6)(i)(G), if any State is projected to not utilize its
recreational allocation by the end of the fishing seasons in its
respective subareas.
Classification
Under section 773 of the Halibut Act, the Council may develop, and
the Secretary of Commerce may implement, regulations governing Pacific
halibut fishing by U.S. fishermen in Area 2A that are in addition to,
and not in conflict with, approved IPHC regulations (16 U.S.C.
773c(c)). The proposed rule is consistent with the Council and NMFS's
authority under the Halibut Act. NMFS concludes a 15-day comment period
is sufficient because the proposed season structures and management
measures proposed in this action, including opening dates, were
developed through the Council's public process and recommended by the
Council in December 2025. Additionally, the 2026 Area 2A FCEY was
developed through the IPHC's public process, with the Area 2A
recreational fishery allocations based on the formulas set in the long-
term CSP. Fishery participants and other stakeholders therefore had
notice of the substance of the proposed season structures and
management measures for several months, with multiple opportunities for
public comment provided in the Council and IPHC forums. The regulated
public is expecting the season structures, including opening dates,
proposed in this action to be implemented and has made business plans,
accordingly. For the remaining subareas in Washington and Oregon, for
which the 2026 IPHC regulations do not implement season structure,
opening dates are set to be April 30 and May 1, respectively. If this
proposed action is not finalized by those dates, such delay would
likely result in lost opportunity within the Area 2A recreational
fishery and the inability for the fishery to catch its full subarea
allocations. A 15-day comment period is appropriate here because it
balances the benefit of additional public comment against the needs of
fishery participants and the socioeconomic benefits provided by
achieving the late April and early May opening dates for certain
subareas.
This action is exempt from review under E.O. 12866. This rule is
exempt from the requirements of E.O. 14192 because it is a routine
fishing action.
The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business
Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities,
for the following reasons:
For Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) purposes only, NMFS has
determined that charter vessels targeting Pacific halibut are all small
businesses. Charter fishing operations are classified under NAICS code
487210, with a corresponding Small Business Association size standard
of $14 million in annual receipts (13 CFR 121.201).
This proposed rule would open the 2026 Area 2A Pacific halibut
recreational fishery and establish season dates and subarea
allocations. The proposed season dates and subarea allocations are
similar to those implemented for the 2025 fishing year. Moreover,
overall participation in the Pacific halibut recreational fisheries in
Area 2A is not expected to change in 2026 as compared to the 2025
fishing year.
This action would affect anglers, charter vessels (which are small
entities), and small businesses relying on recreational fishing across
Area 2A. There are no large entities involved in the Pacific halibut
fisheries off the west coast, and no commercial fishing entities are
directly affected by this rule. None of these changes will have a
disproportionately negative effect on small entities versus large
entities. Private vessels used for recreational fishing are not
businesses and are therefore not included in the RFA analysis.
In 2025, NMFS issued 117 permits to the recreational charter vessel
fleet for Area 2A. NMFS anticipates a similar number of permits to be
issued in 2026. These permit holders would be affected by these
regulations as the permitted vessels operate in Area 2A. The major
driver of profitability for charter vessels participating in the
Pacific halibut recreational fishery, results from the catch limit
decisions (i.e., FCEYs) which were made by the IPHC at its annual
meeting January 19-22, 2026, a decision independent from this proposed
action. This proposed action would implement management measures to
optimize recreational fishing opportunity under the IPHC allocations,
but has limited independent economic effect. Therefore, the proposed
rule is unlikely to significantly increase or reduce the profitability
of the recreational fishery or the small charter fishing businesses
that target Pacific halibut off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and
California. Thus, although this proposed action would impact a
substantial number of small businesses, it is not expected to have a
significant economic impact. Finally, none of these changes would have
a disproportionately negative effect on small entities versus large
entities because no large entities participate in the Pacific halibut
recreational fishery in Area 2A.
For the reasons described above, the proposed action, if adopted,
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities. As a result, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis
is not required and none has been prepared. As part of the public
comment on this proposed action, NMFS requests public comment on its
proposal to certify the action as not having a significant economic
[[Page 14516]]
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
This proposed rule contains no information collection requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Dated: March 20, 2026.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-05801 Filed 3-24-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.