April 2026 briefing book

April 2026 Council Meeting

A. Call to Order

B. Open Comment Period

B.1 Situation Summary: Comments on Non Agenda Items
- B.1.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

C. Groundfish Management

C.1 Situation Summary: National Marine Fisheries Service Report
- C.1.a Supplemental NMFS Report 1: NMFS Report on Recently Published Groundfish Rulemakings & Workload
- C.1.b Supplemental NMFS Presentation: Science Center Activities
- C.1.d Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.2 Situation Summary: Marine Mammal Take Reduction Team Update
- C.2.b Supplemental GAP Report 1: GAP Report on Take Reduction Team Update
- C.2.c Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.3 Situation Summary: Widow Rockfish Alternative Harvest Control Rule
- C.3 Attachment 1: Analysis of Annual Catch Limit Alternatives for Widow Rockfish as Requested by the PFMC in March 2026
- C.3 REVISED Attachment 2: Widow Rockfish Range of Alternatives: Distribution to the Fisheries
- C.3.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Widow Rockfish Alternative Harvest Control Rule
- C.3.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: Groundfish Advisory Subpanel Report on Widow Rockfish Alternative Harvest Control Rule
- C.3.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: Groundfish Management Team Report on Widow Rockfish Alternative Harvest Control Rule
- C.3.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.4 Situation Summary: Harvest Specifications for 2027-28 Fisheries
- C.4 Attachment 1: Harvest Specifications Impact Analysis for 2027-28 Biennium
- C.4.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Harvest Specifications for 2027-28 Fisheries
- C.4.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: Groundfish Advisory Subpanel Report on 2027-2028 Biennial Harvest Specifications Interim Final Preferred Alternative
- C.4.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: Groundfish Management Team Report on Biennial Harvest Specifications for 2027-28 Including Overfishing Limits and Acceptable Biological Catches
- C.4.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.5 Situation Summary: Workload and New Management Measures Priorities Including Trawl Follow on Priorities
- C.5 Attachment 1: Lists of the Prioritized and the Proposed Groundfish Management Measures Lists
- C.5 Supplemental Attachment 2: Preliminary Scoping of Potential List of Trawl Follow-on Actions
- C.5 Supplemental Staff Presentation
- C.5.a NMFS Report 1: Trawl Rationalization Program Review – Follow on Actions
- C.5.a Supplemental EC Report 1: Enforcement Consultants Report on Workload and New Management Measures Priorities Including Trawl Follow-On Priorities
- C.5.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: Groundfish Advisory Subpanel Report on Workload and New Management Measures, Including Trawl Follow-On Priorities
- C.5.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: Groundfish Management Team Report on Workload and New Management Measures
- C.5.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.6 Situation Summary: Inseason Management – Final Action
- C.6.a GMT Report 1: GMT Informational Report on Inseason Management
- C.6.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.7 Situation Summary: Preliminary Preferred Management Measure Alternatives for 2027-28 Fisheries
- C.7 REVISED Attachment 1: DRAFT Action Item Checklist: 2027-28 Harvest Specifications and Management Measures
- C.7 Attachment 2: DRAFT 2027-28 Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measure Analysis
- C.7 Attachment 3: DRAFT Language for Amendment (TBD) to Support Removal of Yelloweye and CA Quillback Rockfishes Rebuilding Plans from the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan
- C.7 Supplemental Attachment 4: Initial Review Draft – SPEX 2027-28 Impact Analysis
- C.7 Supplemental REVISED Attachment 5: Preliminary Draft Socioeconomic Analyses for the 2027-28 Harvest Specifications and Management Measures
- C.7.a Supplemental Tribal Report 1: Preliminary 2027-2028 Tribal Management Measures
- C..7.a Supplemental NMFS Report 1: NMFS Report on the Proposal for More Flexible Sharing of the Canary Rockfish Annual Catch Limit
- C.7.a WDFW Report 1: Preliminary Analysis of the Proposal for More Flexible Sharing of the Canary Rockfish Annual Catch Limit
- C.7.a Supplemental WDFW Report 2: WDFW Report on 2027 and 2028 Groundfish Management Measures
- C.7.a Supplemental ODFW Report 1: ODFW Report on 2027-28 Biennial Management Measures for the Oregon Recreational Fishery
- C.7.a Supplemental CDFW Report 1: CDFW Report on Preliminary Preferred Alternatives for 2027-28 Harvest Specifications and Management Measures
- C.7.a Supplemental EC Report 1: Enforcement Consultants Report on Preliminary Preferred Management Measure Alternatives for 2027-28 Fisheries
- C.7.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: Groundfish Management Team Report on Biennial Management Measures for 2027-28: Area Management and Off-the-Top Deductions
- C.7.a Supplemental GMT Report 2: Groundfish Management Team Report on 2027-2028 Management Measures PPA: Harvest Guidelines, Annual Catch Targets, Allocations, Shares, and Stock-Specific Management
- C.7.a Supplemental GMT Report 3: Groundfish Management Team Report on Biennial Management Measures for 2027-28: Trip Limits, Bag Limits, and Season Structures
- C.7.a Supplemental GMT Report 4: Groundfish Management Team Report on the Draft Socioeconomic Analysis for the 2027-28 Harvest Specifications and Management Measures
- C.7.a Supplemental GMT Report 5: Groundfish Management Team Report on the WDFW Preliminary Analysis of the Proposal for More Flexible Sharing of Canary Rockfish Annual Catch Limit
- C.7.a Supplemental GMT Presentation
- C.7.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: Groundfish Advisory Subpanel Report on Preliminary Preferred Management Measure Alternatives for 2027-2028 Fisheries
- C.7.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D. Salmon Management

D.1 Situation Summary: National Marine Fisheries Service Report
- D.1.a Supplemental NMFS Report 1: NMFS Report on Regulatory Activities
- D.1.c Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.2 Situation Summary: Tentative Adoption of 2026 Management Measures for Analysis
- D.2 Attachment 1: Emergency Changes to the Salmon FMP – Criteria for Requesting Emergency Changes to the Salmon FMP
- D.2 Attachment 2: Federal Register Notice
- D.2 Supplemental Attachment 3: Preseason Report II
- D.2.a Supplemental STT Report 1: Update of Estimated Impacts of March 2026 Alternatives for Ocean Salmon Fishery Management Measures
- D.2.a Supplemental STT Report 2: STT Report on the 2026 Klamath River Fall Chinook De Minimis Exploitation Rate
- D.2.b Supplemental Public Hearing Report 1: Salmon Management Alternatives Hearing Summary Washington Report
- D.2.b Supplemental Public Hearing Report 2: Salmon Management Alternatives Hearing Summary Oregon Report
- D.2.b Supplemental Public Hearing Report 3: Salmon Management Alternatives Hearing Summary California Report
- D.2.c Supplemental PSC CTC Report 1: PSC Chinook Technical Committee Report
- D.2.e Supplemental Tribal Report 1: Colville Tribes
- D.2.e Supplemental Tribal Report 2: Testimony of the Columbia River Treaty Tribes Before Pacific Fisheries Management Council
- D.2.e Supplemental SAS Report 1: Proposed 2026 Ocean Salmon Management Measures for Tentative Adoption
- D.2.f Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.3 Situation Summary: Sacramento River Fall Chinook Revised Spawner Abundance at Maximum Sustainable Yield – Terms of Reference
- D.3 Attachment 1: DRAFT Terms of Reference – Strikethrough Underline
- D.3 Attachment 2: DRAFT Terms of Reference
- D.3 Supplemental Attachment 3: Revised TORs (Strikethrough/Underline)
- D.3 Supplemental Attachment 4: Revised TORs (clean)
- D.3 Supplemental Presentation 1: Sacramento Fall Chinook Revised Spawner Abundance at Maximum Yield – Terms of Reference
- D.3 Supplemental Presentation 2
- D.3.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Sacramento River Fall Chinook Revised Spawner Abundance at Maximum Sustainable Yield – Terms of Reference
- D.3.a Supplemental SAS Report 1: SAS Report on Sacramento Fall River Chinook Fishery Revised Spawner Abundance at Maximum Sustainable Yield – Terms of Reference
- D.3.a Supplemental STT Report 1: STT Report on the Sacramento River Fall Chinook Revised Spawner Abundance at Maximum Sustainable Yield – Terms of Reference
- D.3.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.4 Situation Summary: Clarify Council Direction on 2026 Management Measures
- D.4.a Supplemental STT Report 1: Collation of Preliminary Salmon Management Alternatives for 2026 Ocean Fisheries
- D.4.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.5 Situation Summary: Methodology Review Preliminary Topic Selection
- D.5.a Supplemental STT Report 1: Salmon Technical Team Report on Methodology Review Preliminary Topic Selection
- D.5.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: Scientific and Statistical Committee Report on Methodology Review Preliminary Topic Selection
- D.5.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.6 Situation Summary: Further Direction on 2026 Management Measures
- D.6.a STT Report 1: Salmon Technical Team Report Collation of Preliminary Salmon Management Alternatives for 2026 Ocean Fisheries
- D.6.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.7 Situation Summary: Further Direction on 2026 Management Measures
- D.7.a Supplemental Tribal Report 1: Colville Tribal Report
- D.7.a Supplemental Tribal Presentation 1: Upper Columbia River Summer Chinook: Forecast accuracy and risk to Colville allocation
- D.7.a Supplemental STT Report 1: Salmon Technical Team Report Collation of Preliminary Salmon Management Alternatives for 2026 Ocean Fisheries
- D.7.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.8 Situation Summary: 2026 Management Measures – Final Action
- D.8.a Supplemental Tribal Report 1: Testimony of the Columbia River Treaty Tribes Before Pacific Fisheries Management Council
- D.8.a Supplemental STT Report 1: Salmon Technical Team Report Preliminary Analysis of Tentative 2026 Ocean Salmon Fishery Management Measures
- D.8.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

E. Pacific Halibut Management

E.1 Situation Summary: Incidental Catch Limits for 2026 Salmon Troll Fishery – Final Action
- E.1 Attachment 1: Summary of Pacific Halibut Incidental Catch Management
- E.1.b Supplemental SAS Report 1: SAS Report on Incidental Catch Limits for 2026 Salmon Troll Fishery – Final Action
- E.1.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

F. Coastal Pelagic Species Management

F.1 Situation Summary: National Marine Fisheries Service Report
- F.1.a NMFS Report 1: NMFS Report on Coastal Pelagic Species Regulatory Activities
- F.1.b Supplemental Science Center Presentation 1: SWFSC CPS Research Update
- F.1.d Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

F.2 Situation Summary: Methodology Review: Integrated West Coast Pelagic Survey
- F.2 Attachment 1: Multifunction Trawl (MFT) Net Analysis Memo
- F.2 Attachment 2: Draft Report on Distribution, Biomass, and demographics of Coastal Pelagic Fishes in the California Current Ecosystem During Summer 2025 based on Acoustic-Trawl Sampling
- F.2 Attachment 3: Proposed Terms of Reference
- F.2 Attachment 4: Methodology Review Panel Report
- F.2.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Methodology Review Integrated West Coast Pelagic Survey
- F.2.a Supplemental CPSMT Report 1: CPSMT Report on Methodology Review: Integrated West Coast Pelagic Survey
- F.2.a Supplemental CPSAS Report 1: Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel Report on Methodology Review: Integrated West Coast Pelagics Survey
- F.2.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

F.3 Situation Summary: Exempted Fishing Permits for 2026-27 – Final Action
- F.3 Attachment 1: CWPA Request for EFP Renewal
- F.3.a Supplemental CPSMT Report 1: CPSMT Report on Exempted Fishing Permits for 2026-2027 – Final Action
- F.3.a Supplemental CPSAS Report 1: CPSAS Report on Exempted Fishing Permits for 2026-2027 – Final Action
- F.3.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

F.4 Situation Summary: Pacific Sardine Harvest Specifications and Management Measures for 2026-2027 – Final Action
- F.4 Attachment 1: Update Assessment of the Pacific Sardine Resource in 2025 for U.S. Management in 2025-2026
- F.4.a NMFS Report 1: NMFS Report on Sardine Biomass in U.S. Waters from the 2025 Integrated West Coast Pelagics Survey
- F.4.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: Scientific and Statistical Committee Report on Pacific Sardine Specifications and Management Measures for 2026-2027 – Final Action
- F.4.a Supplemental CPSAS Report 1: Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel Report on Pacific Sardine Harvest Specifications and Management Measures for 2026-27 – Final Action
- F.4.a Supplemental REVISED CPSMT Report 1: Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team Report on Pacific Sardine Harvest Specifications and Management Measures for 2026-2027 – Final Action
- F.4.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

F.5 Situation Summary: FMP Amendment – Sardine Stock Definition and Fishery Management Unit Revision
- F.5 Attachment 1: Analysis of the PPA Sardine Stock Definition and Review of Next Steps
- F.5 Supplemental Attachment 2: Supplemental Report: Planning for Next Steps
- F.5 Supplemental Staff Presentation
- F.5.a Supplemental NMFS Report 1: NMFS Report on Revising the Pacific Sardine Stock Definition and Next Steps
- F.5.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on FMP Amendment – Sardine Stock Definition and Fishery Management Unit Revision
- F.5.a Supplemental CPSAS Report 1: Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel Report on Fishery Management Plan Amendment – Sardine Stock Definition and Fishery Management Unit Revision
- F.5.a Supplemental CPSMT Report 1: CPSMT Report on Fishery Management Plan Amendment – Sardine Stock Definition and Fishery Management Unit Revision
- F.5.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

G. Habitat Issues

G.1 Situation Summary: Current Habitat Issues
- G.1.a Supplemental HC Report 1: HC Report on Habitat Issues
- G.1.c Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

H. Cross Fishery Management Plan

H.1 Situation Summary: Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility
- H.1 Attachment 1: PFMC Staff Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility – Process and Timeline Overview
- H.1 Attachment 2: PFMC Staff Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility – If-Then Statements and Inseason Management Actions
- H.1 Attachment 3: PFMC Staff Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility – Exempted Fishing Permit Process Improvements
- H.1 Attachment 4: PFMC Staff Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility – Improved Process for Data Streams and Integration of Local and Indigenous Knowledge
- H.1 Supplemental Attachment 5: PFMC Staff Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility – Council Action Meeting Requirements
- H.1 Supplemental Staff Presentation
- H.1.a Supplemental CPSAS Report 1: Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility
- H.1.a Supplemental EWG Report 1: Ecosystem Workgroup Supplemental Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility
- H.1.a Supplemental SAS Report 1: Salmon Advisory Subpanel Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility
- H.1.a Supplemental HMSAS Report 1: Highly Migratory Species Advisory Subpanel Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility
- H.1.a Supplemental HMSMT Report 1: HMSMT Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility
- H.1.a Supplemental EAS Report 1: EAS Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility
- H.1.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: Groundfish Advisory Subpanel Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management
- H.1.a Supplemental HC Report 1: HC Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility
- H.1.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: Groundfish Management Team Report on Special Project 1: Adaptive Management and Flexibility
- H.1.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

H.2 Situation Summary: Council and NMFS Workload – Capacity Alignment
- H.2 Supplemental Attachment 1: Addressing Capacity Constraints through Operational and Management Efficiencies – Brief Summary of Council and NMFS Leadership Discussions
- H.2.c Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

I. Administrative Matters

I.1 Situation Summary: Membership Appointments and Council Operating Procedures
- I.1.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: Scientific and Statistical Committee Report on Membership Appointments
- I.1.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

I.2 Situation Summary: Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.2 Attachment 1: Year-at-a-Glance (YAG)
- I.2 Attachment 2: June 2026 Quick Reference (QR)
- I.2 Supplemental Attachment 3: Year-at-a-Glance (YAG)
- I.2 Supplemental Attachment 4: June 2026 Quick Reference (QR)
- I.2.a Supplemental CPSAS Report 1: Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel Report on Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.2.a Supplemental HMSMT Report 1: Highly Migratory Species Management Team Report on Future Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.2.a Supplemental HMSAS Report 1: Highly Migratory Species Advisory Subpanel Report on Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.2.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: Groundfish Advisory Subpanel Report on Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.2.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: Scientific and Statistical Committee Report on Future Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.2.a Supplemental REVISED CPSMT Report 1: Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team Report on Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.2.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: Groundfish Management Team Report on Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.2.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

Advisory body and committee agendas

Scientific and Statistical Committee Materials

SSC DRAFT Minutes – March 2026

Advisory body and committee memos

Informational reports

Informational Report 1: Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program – 2026 Cost Recovery Annual Report
Informational Report 2: Shorebased Whiting Cooperative – Salmon Mitigation Plan Postseason Report on the 2025 Pacific Whiting Fishery
Informational Report 3: Whiting Mothership Cooperative – An Amendment 20 Mothership Catcher Vessel Cooperative Annual Report on the 2025 Pacific Whiting Fishery
Informational Report 4: Pacific Whiting Conservation Cooperative Amendment 20 Catcher/Processor Cooperative Annual Report 2025
Supplemental Informational Report 5: Recreational Fisheries Roundtable
Supplemental Informational Report 6: Remembering Kevin Dunn
Supplemental Informational Report 7: Overview of Seafood Watch’s Standard for Fisheries Changes
Supplemental Informational Report 8: Announcing a 2026 Marine Resource Education Program (MREP)

Table of Contents

April 2026 Council Meeting

A. Call to Order

B. Open Comment Period

C. Groundfish Management

D. Salmon Management

E. Pacific Halibut Management

F. Coastal Pelagic Species Management

G. Habitat Issues

H. Cross Fishery Management Plan

I. Administrative Matters

Advisory body and committee agendas

Scientific and Statistical Committee Materials

Advisory body and committee memos

Informational reports

General Information and Membership Roster

Recent reports