2024 West Coast Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery

Final Rule |

West Coast

Overview

Fishing Type

Commercial

Affected Species

Pacific Halibut

Action Status

Final Rule

Published

Effective June 25, 2024

Point of Contact

Heather Fitch, West Coast Region, NMFS, (360) 320-6549, heather.fitch@noaa.gov

Summary

NOAA Fisheries adopted annual management measures for the 2024 Pacific halibut directed commercial fishery in Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California, including fishing periods and fishing period limits (i.e., season dates and vessel catch limits) in a final rule on May 10, 2024. Further information and regulations can be found in Federal Register notices and in 50 CFR Part 300 Subpart E.

Update (July 25, 2024)

NOAA Fisheries announced a third fishing period, opening on August 6 at 8:00 a.m. and closing on August 8 at 6:00 p.m. The total allocation for this fishery is 249,338 pounds (113 mt), net weight, with an estimated 66,560 pounds (30.2 mt) remaining.

Fishing Periods

Fishing period #1: June 25 at 8:00 a.m. to June 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Fishing period #2: July 9 at 8:00 a.m. to July 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Fishing period #3: August 6 at 8:00 a.m. to August 8 at 6:00 p.m.

Fishing Period Limits

The fishing period limit (vessel catch limit) for the third fishing period is equal among all vessel size classes, set at 1,000 pounds (0.4536 mt), dressed weight (head-on with ice/slime). Fishing period limits for the first and second fishing periods can be found in the final rule (89 FR 40417, May 10, 2024).

Inseason Harvest Estimates

Fishing period #1 (June 25–27): 93,152 pounds (42.3 mt)
Fishing period #2 (July 9–11): 89,626 pounds (40.7 mt)

Additional Information

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