2023 Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery

NOAA Fisheries has issued a final rule in the Federal Register for the 2023 Pacific halibut directed commercial fishery annual management measures for Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California.

This action implements the 2023 management measures for the directed commercial fishery in Area 2A, in response to the framework recommended by the Council. These management measures for the directed commercial fishery off Washington, Oregon, and California include the fishery opening dates and duration, and catch limits by vessel size class.

The allocation for the directed commercial fishery, based on the IPHC’s 2023 Area 2A total constant exploitation yield and the Council’s Catch Sharing Plan, is 257,819 pounds (116.94 mt). Two fishing periods were announced in the final rule. On July 24, 2023, NOAA Fisheries took inseason action in the Federal Register to add a third fishing period with reduced fishing period catch limits..

Based on landings information as of August 15, 2023, including fish ticket data, the estimated total harvest is 259,226 pounds (117.58 metric tons), net weight, which is 100.6 percent of the directed commercial fishery allocation. The allocation has been reached for this fishery and, therefore, the fishery is closed for the remainder of 2023.

Fishing periods

June 27, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. – June 29, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
July 11, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. – July 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
August 1, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. – August 3, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

These management measures are primarily intended to provide opportunities for commercial fishermen to achieve but not exceed the directed commercial fishery allocation.

Additional Information

• Pacific Halibut Fishing on the West Coast
• The NOAA Fisheries Pacific halibut hotline at (800) 662-9825 has the most up-to-date information for recreational Area 2A fisheries.
• International Pacific Halibut Commission Regulations

For More Information

Email nmfs.wcr.halibut@noaa.gov