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2023 Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery

Overview

Illustration of a right-facing, mottled gray-brown Pacific halibut flatfish with both diamon-shaped body. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady
Fishing Type
Commercial
Affected Species
Action Status
Final Rule
Effective
07/24/2023
Point of Contact
Melissa Mandrup, 562–980–3231, Melissa.Mandrup@noaa.gov

Summary

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

For More Information

Email nmfs.wcr.halibut@noaa.gov

Last updated by West Coast Regional Office on 03/13/2024

Catch Shares Halibut