NOAA Fisheries announces a decrease in incidental landing limits for Pacific halibut in the limited-entry fixed-gear sablefish primary fishery for vessels fishing north of Point Chehalis, Washington. The limit will be reduced from 225 lb (102 kg) dressed weight of halibut for every 1,000 lb (454 kg) dressed weight of sablefish landed, and up to two halibut in excess of the ratio, to 150 lb (68 kg) dressed weight of halibut for every 1,000 lb (454 kg) dressed weight of sablefish landed, and up to two halibut in excess of the ratio.
This adjustment is effective on May 9, 2022, through the end of the 2022 sablefish primary season, unless subsequently modified via the Federal Register.
This adjustment was recommended to NOAA Fisheries by the Pacific Fishery Management Council at its March 2022 meeting.
Please refer to the Federal Register notice for the specific regulatory changes.