Pacific halibut
Halibut have been fished for hundreds of years by native Americans on the west coast of the U.S. The U.S. commercial fishery started in 1888, when halibut were first landed in Tacoma, Washington.
Pacific halibut are managed by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and through the Council’s Halibut Catch Sharing Plan, a framework that dictates how the total allowable catch will be divided off the West Coast. The total allowable catch is set each January by the IPHC, and each year the Council solicits changes to its Catch Sharing Plan between September and November, making final recommendations in November of each year.
Recently, the Council has taken steps to transition routine management of the non-Indian commercial directed halibut fishery from IPHC to the Council and NMFS. The Council is working closely with IPHC and stakeholders during this process. However, the IPHC will continue to set the total allowable catch for Pacific halibut, and Council will continue to develop a Catch Sharing Plan.
KEY DOCUMENTS
News & updates
- Now Accepting Applications for a Staff Officer position at the Pacific Fishery Management Council
- Now Accepting Applications for a Fisheries Economist position at the Pacific Fishery Management Council
- Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel to hold online meeting May 21, 2024
- Groundfish Advisory Subpanel to meet online May 23, 2024
Actions in progress
- No current items
Upcoming Council Meeting
June Council meeting
San Diego, CA
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Diego - Mission Valley 7450 Hazard Center Drive - San Diego, CA 92108 Phone: 619-297-5466
Events
Contacts
Robin Ehlke
503-820-2410
robin.ehlke@noaa.gov