March 2026 briefing book

March 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. Salmon Management

C.1 Situation Summary: National Marine Fisheries Service Report
- C.1.a Supplemental NMFS Report 1: NMFS Report 1 Regulatory Activities
- C.1.b Supplemental NMFS Report 1: Recent Salmon-Related Publications by the NMFS Science Centers (2025-2026)
- C.1.b Supplemental Science Center Presentation 1: Salmon Research Highlights 2025-26
- C.1.d Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.2 Situation Summary: Review of 2025 Fisheries and Summary of 2026 Stock Forecasts
- C.2 Attachment 1: Excerpts from Pacific Coast Salmon Fishery Management Plan Updated Through Amendment 24
- C.2 Supplemental Attachment 2: Review of 2025 Ocean Salmon Fisheries
- C.2 Supplemental Attachment 3: Preseason Report 1
- C.2.a Supplemental STT Report 1: STT Report 1 Excerpts from the Review of 2025 Ocean Salmon Fisheries and 2026 Preseason Report 1
- C.2.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Review of 2025 Fisheries and Summary of 2026 Stock Forecasts
- C.2.a Supplemental STT Report 2: STT Report Preseason Report 1 Chapter 2 and 5 updates
- C.2.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.3 REVISED Situation Summary: Identify Management Objectives and Preliminary 2026 Management Alternatives
- C.3 Attachment 1: Guidance for Alternative Development and Assessment
- C.3 Attachment 2: Emergency Changes to the Salmon Management Plan (FMP) -Excerpt from COP 10 – Criteria for Requesting Emergency Changes to the Salmon FMP
- C.3 Attachment 3: Federal Register Notice of NMFS Guidelines regarding Emergency Rule
- C.3 Attachment 4: List of 2026 Salmon Fisheries Scheduled to Occur Prior to May 16, 2026
- C.3.a Supplemental PSC PPT 1: Pacific Salmon Treaty Overview
- C.3.b Supplemental NMFS Report 1: Salmon Guidance Letter
- C.3.d Supplemental WDFW / Tribal Recommendations: Tribal and WDFW 2026 Management Objectives for Puget Sound Chinook and Coho Salmon
- C.3.e Supplemental Tribal Report 1: Colville Tribes Report
- C.3.e Supplemental SAS Report 1: Salmon Advisory Subpanel Report on Proposed Initial Salmon Management Alternatives for 2026 Non-Indian Ocean Fisheries
- C.3.e Supplemental CRITFIC Tribal Report 1: Testimony of the Columbia River Treaty Tribes Before Pacific Fisheries Management Council
- C.3.f Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.4 Situation Summary: 2026 Management Alternative Analysis Recommendations
- C.4.a Supplemental Tribal Report 1: Colville Tribal Report
- C.4.a Supplemental Tribal Presentation 1: Additional Information Regarding Upper Columbia River Summer Chinook
- C.4.a Supplemental STT Report 1: Salmon Technical Team Report Collation of Preliminary Salmon Management Alternatives for 2026 Ocean Fisheries
- C.4.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.5 Situation Summary: Further Direction for 2026 Management Alternatives
- C.5.a Supplemental REVISED STT Report 1: Salmon Technical Team Report Collation of Preliminary Salmon Management Alternatives for 2026 Ocean Fisheries
- C.5.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.6 Situation Summary: Adopt 2026 Management Alternatives for Public Review
- C.6.a Supplemental Tribal Report 1: Testimony of the Columbia River Treaty Tribes Before Pacific Fishery Management Council
- C.6.a Supplemental Tribal Report 2: Colville Tribe Letter
- C.6.a Supplemental STT Report 1: Salmon Technical Team Report Collation of Preliminary Salmon Management Alternatives for 2026 Ocean Fisheries
- C.6.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
C.7 Situation Summary: Appoint Salmon Hearing Officers
- C.7 Attachment 1: Schedule of Salmon Fishery Management Alternative Hearings
- C.7.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D. Groundfish Management

D.1 Situation Summary: National Marine Fisheries Service Report
- D.1.a NMFS Report 1: Projecting Impacts of Potential Transfer of EFPs to Regulation on Chinook Salmon Bycatch
- D.1.a Supplemental NMFS Report 2: NMFS Report on Recently Published Groundfish Rulemaking & Workload
- D.1.b Supplemental NWFSC Report 1: Observed and Estimated Bycatch of Salmon in U.S. West Coast Fisheries 2002-24
- D.1.b Supplemental NWFSC Report b: Salmon Mortality Data (Excel File)
- D.1.b Supplemental NWFSC Presentation 1: Science Center Activities
- D.1.c Supplemental GAP Report 1: GAP Report on NMFS Report
- D.1.d Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.2 Situation Summary: Adopt Stock Assessments
- D.2 Attachment 1: Status of Widow Rockfish stock off U.S. West Coast in 2025
- D.2.a SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Adopt Stock Assessments
- D.2.a SSC Report 2: SSC Report on Widow Rockfish “Q&A” Document
- D.2.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: GAP Report on Adopt Stock Assessments
- D.2.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.3 Situation Summary: Phase 2 Stock Definitions: Remaining Nearshore Species – Final Action
- D.3 Attachment 1: Draft EA/RIR/RFA/MSA Analysis (from November 2025)
- D.3 Attachment 2: DRAFT Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan Language to Support Phase 2 Final Action
- D.3.a Supplemental WDFW Report 1: Update on Discussions Over State-Federal Jurisdiction and Cooperation of the Washington Recreational Fishery
- D.3.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: GAP Report on Phase 2 Stock Definitions – Remaining Nearshore Species – Final Action
- D.3.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.4 Situation Summary: Widow Rockfish Alternative Harvest Control Rule: Problem Statement, Range of Alternatives
- D.4 Attachment 1: Proposed Problem Statement
- D.4 Attachment 2: Additional Projections with Alternative Catch Streams for the Widow Rockfish Stock Assessment
- D.4 Attachment 3: Widow Rockfish Alternative Harvest Control Rule Proposals
- D.4.a NMFS Report 1: 2025 Widow Rockfish Assessment – Considerations for Setting 2027-2028 Harvest Specifications
- D.4.a WDFW Report 1: Working Paper – Considering more Flexible Approaches to Preventing Overfishing and Achieving Conservation
- D.4.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Widow Rockfish Alternative Harvest Control Rules
- D.4.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: GAP Report on Widow Rockfish Harvest Control Rule – Problem Statement, Range of Alternatives
- D.4.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: GMT Report on Widow Rockfish Alternative Harvest Control Rule – Problem Statement, Range of Alternatives
- D.4.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.5 Situation Summary: Inseason Adjustments – Final
- D.5.a ODFW Report 1: ODFW Report on Groundfish Inseason Adjustments – Final Action
- D.5.a Supplemental CDFW Report 1: CDFW Report on 2025 Groundfish Harvest in California
- D.5.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: GAP Report on Inseason Adjustments – Final
- D.5.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: GMT Report on Inseason Adjustments – Final Action
- D.5.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.6 Situation Summary: Initial Harvest Specifications for 2027-28
- D.6 Attachment 1: Catch Only Projection for Canary Rockfish
- D.6 Attachment 2: Alternative Projection for Chilipepper Rockfish
- D.6 Attachment 3: Catch Only Projection for Petrale Sole
- D.6 Attachment 4: Alternative Projection for Yelloweye Rockfish
- D.6 Attachment 5: Alternative Projection for Yellowtail Rockfish
- D.6.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Initial Harvest Specifications for 2027-2028
- D.6.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: GAP Report on Initial Harvest Specifications for 2027-28
- D.6.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: Groundfish Management Team Report on Initial Harvest Specifications for 2027-28
- D.6.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.7 Situation Summary: Implementation of the 2026 Pacific Whiting Fishery Under the U.S./Canada Agreement
- D.7 Attachment 1: Pacific Whiting Treaty Text
- D.7 Attachment 2: USCODE 2024 Title 1 Chapter 89 Section 7007
- D.7 Supplemental Attachment 3: Joint Canada-U.S.A. Scientific Review Group Report for 2026
- D.7 Supplemental Attachment 4: Status of the Pacific Hake (whiting) Stock in U.S. and Canadian Waters in 2026
- D.7 Supplemental Attachment 5: Notification of 2025 Hake Survey Biomass Estimate for the Whiting Treaty Process
- D.7.b Supplemental GAP Report 1: Groundfish Advisory Subpanel Report on Implementation of the 2026 Pacific Whiting Fishery Under the U.S./Canada Agreement
- D.7.c Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.8 Situation Summary: Initial Stock Assessment Plan for 2027 and 2029
- D.8 REVISED Attachment 1: Groundfish Stock Assessment Prioritization to Inform the Selection of Species for Assessment in 2027
- D.8 Supplemental Attachment 2: Summary of available Northwest Fisheries Science Center survey data to support assessments of U.S. West Coast groundfish stocks
- D.8.a NMFS Report 1: Preliminary NMFS Recommendations for 2027 Groundfish Stock Assessments
- D.8.a Supplemental NWFSC Presentation 1: Groundfish Stock Assessment Prioritization and Preliminary NMFS Recommendations for 2027 Stock Assessments
- D.8.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: Scientific and Statistical Committee Report on Initial Stock Assessment Plan for 2027 and 2029
- D.8.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: GAP Report on Initial Stock Assessment Plan for 2027 and 2029
- D.8.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: Groundfish Management Team Report on Initial Stock Assessment Plan for 2027 and 2029
- D.8.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.9 Situation Summary: 2027-28 Stock Assessment Terms of Reference – Scoping
- D.9.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: 2027-28 Stock Assessment Terms of Reference – Scoping
- D.9.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: Stock Assessment Terms of Reference – Scoping
- D.9.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: GMT Report on 2027-28 Stock Assessment Terms of Reference – Scoping
- D.9.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

D.10 Situation Summary: 2027-28 Fisheries – Analytical Update and Limited Actions
- D.10.a Supplemental NMFS Report 1: Estimated Distribution of Petrale Sole relative to the Tribal usual and Accustomed Fishing Grounds off the State of Washington – Based on Bottom Trawel Survey Data
- D.10.a Supplemental GMT Repot 1: GMT Report on 2027-28 Fisheries: Analytical Update and Limited Actions
- D.10 Supplemental GAP Report 1: Groundfish Advisory Subpanel Report on 2027-28 Fisheries – Analytical Update and Limited Actions
- D.10.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

E. Ecosystem Management

E.1 Situation Summary: California Current Ecosystem Annual Status Report and 2026 Science Review Topics
- E.1.a CCIEA Report 1: 2025-2026 California Current Ecosystem Status Report
- E.1.a Supplemental CCIEA Report 2: ESR Topics for SSC Review
- E.1.a Supplemental CCIEA Report 3: Supplement to Appendix S – Fisheries Participation Networks
- E.1.a Supplemental CCIEA Report 4: Supplement to Appendix D – Near Term Climate and Ecosystem Forecasts
- E.1.a Supplemental CCIEA Presentation 1: 2025-2026 California Current Ecosystem Status Report
- E.1.a Supplemental HC Report 1: HC Report on California Current Ecosystem Annual Status Report and 2026 Science Review Topics
- E.1.b Supplemental EAS Report 1: EAS Report on California Current Ecosystem Annual Status Report and 2026 Science Review Topics
- E.1.b Supplemental EWG Report 1: EWG Report on the California Current Ecosystem Annual Status Report and 2026 Science Review Topics
- E.1.b Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on California Current Ecosystem Annual Status Report
- E.1.c Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

E.2 Situation Summary: Special Project 3: Workshop to Develop New Fishing Systems
- E.2 Attachment 1: PFMC Staff Report on Special Project 3: Workshop to Develop New Fishing Systems
- E.2 Supplemental Staff Presentation 1: Special Project 3: Workshop to Develop New Fishing Systems
- E.2.a Supplemental EWG Report 1: EWG Report on Special Project 3 – Workshop to Develop New Fishing Systems
- E.2.a Supplemental EAS Report 1: Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel Report on Special Project 3: Workshop to Develop New Fishing Systems
- E.2.a Supplemental HMSAS Report 1: HMSAS Report on Special Project 3: Workshop to Develop New Fishing Systems
- E.2.a Supplemental HMSMT Report 1: HMSMT Report on Special Project 3: Workshop to Develop New Fishing Systems
- E.2.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

F. Habitat Issues

F.1 Situation Summary: Current Habitat Issues
- F.1.a Supplemental ONMS Report 1: ONMS Update on April 2025 Coordination Report
- F.1.a Supplemental HC Report 1: Habitat Committee Report on Habitat Issues
- F.1.c Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

G. Highly Migratory Species Management

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

G.2 Situation Summary: International Management Activities
- G.2 Attachment 1: WCPFC22 Letter to Councils
- G.2.a NMFS Report 1: NMFS Report on International HMS Activities
- G.2.a Supplemental NMFS Report 2: Albacore Stakeholder meeting Summary
- G.2.a Supplemental HMSAS Report 1: HMSAS Report on International Management Activities
- G.2.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)
G.3 Situation Summary: Exempted Fishing Permits – Preliminary or Final Action
- G.3 Attachment 1: Draft EFP: PIER Hookless Gear
- G.3.a Supplemental HMSMT Report 1: Highly Migratory Species Management Team Report on Exempted Fishing Permits – Preliminary or Final
- G.3.a Supplemental HMSAS Report 1: HMSAS Report on Exempted Fishing Permits – Preliminary or Final
- G.3.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

G.4 Situation Summary: HMS Roadmap: Exempted Fishing Permits Metrics and Benchmarks – Final
- G.4.a FIW Report 1: Ad Hoc Fisheries Innovation Workgroup Report on HMS Roadmap – EFP Metrics and Benchmarks
- G.4.a Supplemental FIW Report 2: FIW Report on HMS Roadmap – EFP Metrics and Benchmarks
- G.4.a Supplemental EC Report 1: Enforcement Consultants Report on the HMS Roadmap: Exempted Fishing Permits Metrics and Benchmarks
- G.4.a Supplemental FIW Presentation 1: HMS Roadmap: Exempted Fishing Permits Metrics and Benchmarks
- G.4.a Supplemental HMSAS Report 1: HMSAS Report on HMS Roadmap: Exempted Fishing Permits Metrics and Benchmarks – Final
- G.4.a Supplemental HMSMT Report 1: HMSMT Report on HMS Roadmap: Exempted Fishing Permit Metrics and Benchmarks – Final
- G.4.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

H. Pacific Halibut Management

H.1 Situation Summary: Incidental Limits: Salmon Troll Options and Fixed Gear Sablefish Final Action
- H.1 Attachment 1: Summary of Pacific Halibut Incidental Catch Management
- H.1.a Supplementary SAS Report 1: Salmon Advisory Subpanel Report on Incidental Limits: Salmon Troll Options and Fixed Gear Sablefish Final Action
- H.1.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: Groundfish Advisory Subpanel Report on Incidental Limits: Salmon Troll Options and Fixed Gear Sablefish Final Action
- H.1.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: GMT Report on Incidental Catch Recommendations: Fixed Gear Sablefish Final Action
- H.1.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

I. Administrative Matters

I.1 Situation Summary: Approve Council Meeting Records
- I.1 Attachment 1: DRAFT Council Meeting Record – November 2025
- I.1 Attachment 2: DRAFT Council Meeting Record – December 2025

I.2 Situation Summary: Membership Appointments and Council Operating Procedures
- I.2 Attachment 1: PSMFC Designee Change Letter
- I.2 Attachment 2: ODFW Designee Change Letter
- I.2 Attachment 3: CDFW Designee Change Letter
- I.2 Attachment 4: DRAFT Terms of Reference Revised Sacramento River Fall Chinook Smsy through estimation for the Smp
- I.2.a Supplemental SAS Report 1: SAS Report on Membership Appointments and Council Operating Procedures: Sacramento River Fall Chinook Peer Review Process
- I.2.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

I.3 Situation Summary: Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.3 Attachment 1: Year at a Glance (YAG)
- I.3 Attachment 2: April 2026 Quick Reference (QR)
- I.3 Attachment 3: June 2026 Quick Reference (QR)
- I.3 Supplemental Attachment 4: Year at a Glance (YAG)
- I.3 Supplemental Attachment 5: April 2026 Quick Reference (QR)
- I.3 Supplemental Attachment 6: June 2026 Quick Reference (QR)
- I.3.a Supplemental GAP Report 1: Groundfish Advisory Subpanel Report on Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.3.a Supplemental EWG Report 1: Ecosystem Workgroup Supplemental Report on Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I3.a Supplemental SSC Report 1: SSC Report on Future Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.3.a Supplemental EAS Report 1: Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel Report on Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.3.a Supplemental GMT Report 1: Groundfish Management Team Report on Future Council Meeting Agenda and Workload Planning
- I.3.b Public Comment – (If received, Electronic Only)

Advisory body and committee agendas

Scientific and Statistical Committee Materials

Advisory body and committee memos

Informational reports

Informational Report 1: IPHC Report of the 102nd Meeting
Informational Report 2: Outcomes of the 102nd Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting
Informational Report 3: US Pacific Salmon Commission Letter to ODFW on SRKW
Informational Report 4: Technical Guidance for Estimating Refence Points used for Stock Status Determination in Accordance with the National Standard 1 Guidelines
Informational Report 5: CCC Exchange on Stocks for Management and Science
~~Supplemental Information Report 6a: Observed and Estimated Bycatch of Salmon in U.S. West Coast Fisheries, 2002-2024~~
~~Supplemental Informational Report 6b: Salmon Mortality Data~~
Supplemental Informational Report 7a: EO Response
Supplemental Informational Report 7b: Public Comments for RFMC (Excel File)
Supplemental Informational Report 8: FEP Initiative 4 Summary Report
Supplemental Informational Report 9: Remembering Mike Okoniewski

Table of Contents

March 2026 Council Meeting

A. Call to Order

B. Open Comment Period

C. Salmon Management

D. Groundfish Management

E. Ecosystem Management

F. Habitat Issues

G. Highly Migratory Species Management

H. Pacific Halibut Management

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