The fish Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) are large flatfish found on the continental shelf from California to the Bering Sea. Halibut have flat, diamond-shaped bodies, can weigh up to 500 pounds, and can grow to eight feet long. The oldest halibut on record, both male and female, is 55 years old.  The stock status of […]

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is now accepting applications for Area 2A Halibut licenses (2021). Please see the IPHC website for further information. You may contact the IPHC Secretariat at: secretariat@iphc.int, should you have any questions or require assistance.

Council adopts final changes to 2021 catch sharing plan, annual regulations In November, the Council adopted final changes to the 2021 Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and annual fishing regulations consistent with the recommendations provided by California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, including the […]

Washington State announced on December 8 that it has submitted a draft plan for how to distribute $50 million in Federal relief funding to members of Washington’s commercial seafood, shellfish and charter industries to NOAA Fisheries for review and approval. Under Section 12005 of the CARES Act, Congress provided $300 million to states to distribute […]

The Pacific Fishery Management Council will host an online meeting of the Area 2A Pacific halibut governmental management entities that is open to the public. 

The Council adopted for public review proposed changes to the current Area 2A Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) and annual fishing regulations in Washington, Oregon, and California recreational fisheries for the 2021 season as follows: In the Columbia River subarea allow the retention of yellowtail, widow, canary, redstriped, greenstriped, slivergray, chilipepper, bocaccio, and blue/deacon […]

Council adopts 2021 Catch Sharing Plan changes, annual regulations In September the Council adopted proposed changes to the 2020 Area 2A Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan and annual fishing regulations for West Coast recreational fisheries for public review. In addition to status quo, the options include: In the Columbia River subarea, allowing the retention of […]

NOAA Fisheries has 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 […]

Nominations open for advisory body vacancies The Council is accepting nominations for a Washington position on the Ecosystem Advisory Subpanel and the Northern Charter Boat Operator position on the Highly Migratory Species Advisory Subpanel. Nominations for both are due Monday, May 18. Advisory body appointments made in March In March the Council appointed Andrew Babich […]