Alaska Shuffles 'Oops' Halibut Catch Limits Among Fishermen
Published Date: 12/5/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting December 4, 2025, NMFS is shifting 137 metric tons of unused halibut catch limits from the Pacific cod Trawl Cooperative Program to the trawl catcher vessel C season in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. This change helps fishermen in the C season catch more without exceeding limits, running through the end of 2025. It’s a smart move to make sure no catch limits go to waste and supports sustainable fishing.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
C‑season Catch Limit Increased by 137 mt
If you operate as a limited access trawl catcher vessel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands C season, NMFS is adding 137 metric tons (mt) of halibut PSC to your C season limit, raising it to 152 mt. This change is effective December 4, 2025 through December 31, 2025 and lets the sector fish more in the C season without exceeding halibut limits.
PCTC Program Allocation Reapportioned
The Pacific cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program had 137 metric tons of halibut PSC apportioned for the A and B seasons that were not caught, and NMFS is reapportioning that 137 mt away from the PCTC Program to the C season. This reapportionment is effective December 4, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
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