2020 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan

At each September meeting, the Council considers proposed changes to the Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) and annual regulations for IPHC regulatory Area 2A (Washington, Oregon, California) to allocate the Pacific halibut catch limit between treaty Indian and non-Indian harvesters, and among non-Indian commercial and recreational (sport) fisheries. The Council takes final action on the CSP and annual regulations at its November meeting. Based on the Council recommendation, NMFS implements necessary regulations.

In November 2019, the Council adopted final changes to the 2020 Catch Sharing Plan and annual fishing regulations consistent with the recommendations provided by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, excluding the recommendation for use of  longleader gear.

The Council adopted a final recommendation for a season consisting of a 3-day fishing period to begin at 0800 on day 1 and conclude at 1800 on day 3.  The season would begin on the fourth Monday in June 2020, and subsequent periods would be scheduled as necessary to achieve the allowable catch level.  This recommendation will be forwarded to the International Pacific Halibut Commission for consideration.

For detailed information on the Council’s action, see Agenda Item F.1 in the November 2019 briefing book.

NOAA Fisheries issued a proposed rule for the CSP and annual management measures for Area 2A on February 6, 2020.  Comments on the proposed changes to the Catch Sharing Plan and the associated management measures must be received by March 9, 2020. Please see the Federal Register notice to view the proposed rule and instructions on how to comment.

On May 1, 2020 NOAA Fisheries issued the final rule that implements the Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for the International Pacific Halibut Commission’s regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. This rule also announces that it may be necessary to further modify the opening dates or other fishing days for some subareas shortly after the publication of this final rule, in response to changes in state measures related to the spread of COVID-19.

Please see the Federal Register notice dated May 1, 2020 to view the final rule effective April 30, 2020.