Groundfish Quotas Fixed: West Coast Fishermen Breathe Easier
Published Date: 4/11/2025
Rule
Summary
Fishermen off Washington, Oregon, and California get clearer rules for catching groundfish in 2025-26. This fix updates quotas and trip limits for thornyheads and sablefish, making sure the rules match the coastwide management plan. These changes help keep fishing fair and on track without messing up the schedule or budgets.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Coastwide Quota Limits Clarified
The rule clarifies that shortspine thornyhead quota share (QS) and quota pound (QP) accumulation limits are now managed coastwide and are the same as the area-specific limits after recombining north and south of 34°27' N latitude for 2025-2026. If you hold or trade QS or QP for thornyheads off Washington, Oregon, or California, these limits apply coastwide under the coastwide management plan.
Trip Limits for Thornyheads and Sablefish Fixed
The correcting amendment revises limited entry trip limits for shortspine thornyheads and sablefish that were mis-specified in table 2b (South) for the 2025-2026 specifications. If you fish under limited entry permits for these groundfish off Washington, Oregon, or California, the corrected trip limits govern how much you may legally catch per trip in that management period.
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