Pacific Groundfish Fishery Announces 2026 Cost Recovery Fee Updates
Published Date: 12/29/2025
Notice
Summary
Fishermen and companies in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Program will pay updated fees in 2026 to help cover management and enforcement costs. The Shorebased and Mothership programs will pay 3% fees, while the Catcher/Processor program pays a smaller 0.3% fee, based on a set price for Pacific whiting. These fees kick in starting January 1, 2026, so everyone can plan their budgets accordingly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
2026 Groundfish Trawl Cost Recovery Fees
If you participate in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Trawl Rationalization Program, you will pay cost recovery fees in 2026. The Shorebased IFQ Program and the Mothership (MS) Co-op Program are set at 3.0 percent, and the Catcher/Processor (C/P) Co-op Program is set at 0.3 percent; these percentages apply starting January 1, 2026.
Pacific Whiting Price Proxy for Fees
The average mothership price used as a proxy to value Pacific whiting for the C/P Co-op Program fee calculation in 2026 is $0.10 per pound. That $0.10/lb value will be multiplied by retained catch weight to help determine the sector's ex-vessel value for fee calculation.
Pay.gov Payment Requirement for Fees
Cost recovery fees must be submitted to NOAA Fisheries through Pay.gov. Payments are accepted only by credit/debit card or bank transfer; cash and checks are not accepted.
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