West Coast Anglers: Halibut Seasons Get a Shuffle
Published Date: 3/25/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The 2026 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan is getting some updates for Washington, Oregon, and California waters to help protect halibut while still letting anglers enjoy fishing. New rules will set fishing seasons and how much halibut each area can catch. If you fish recreationally, these changes could affect when and where you can fish, so get ready and share your thoughts by April 9, 2026!
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.
Washington South Coast: 4 Days/Week in May
If you fish recreationally in the Washington South Coast subarea, the 2026 plan would let the season run 4 days per week in May (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday). This change is in Section 6.9.3(d) of the Catch Sharing Plan and affects where and when you can fish in that subarea.
Oregon Central Coast: Nearshore Opening & Allocation Rules
For the Oregon Central Coast, the nearshore season would open May 1, 7 days per week, shoreward of the 40-fathom (73-meter) line, unless the Area 2A FCEY is less than 1.2 million lb (544.3 mt), in which case opening may be postponed to June 1. The subarea allocation would give 75% to the spring all-depth fishery; if Area 2A FCEY is 700,000 lb (317.5 mt) or greater then 10,000 lb (4.5 mt) goes to nearshore, otherwise 25% goes to nearshore.
California Coast: Flexibility to Open in April
For California Coast subareas, Sections 6.12.1(d) and 6.12.2(d) are modified to give flexibility to open seasons in April. For example, Northern California is proposed to open April 1 through November 15, 7 days per week, and South of Point Arena is proposed to open April 1 through December 31, 7 days per week, subject to allocation availability.
Inseason Closures and Allocation Transfers Possible
NMFS may close subareas when there is not enough allocation for another full day of fishing, reopen inseason if allocation remains, and transfer unused allocation between subareas or States under 50 CFR 300.63(c). Inseason notices will be announced via the NMFS hotline at (206) 526-6667 or (800) 662-9825 and fishery bulletins.
Columbia River: Nearshore Removed, 500 lb Shifted
The plan would remove the nearshore fishery in the Columbia River subarea and allocate 500 lb (0.2 metric tons) to the all-depth fishery. That change (Section 6.10(a)) changes how the Columbia River subarea's recreational allocation is split between nearshore and all-depth fishing.
Daily Bag Limit: One Halibut Per Person
Across all Area 2A recreational subareas, the proposed daily bag limit is one Pacific halibut of any size per person. This landing restriction applies to recreational anglers and is stated consistently for each subarea in the proposed rule.
Comment Deadline: April 9, 2026
If you want to comment on the proposed 2026 halibut plan or recreational measures, your comments must be received by April 9, 2026. You can submit comments via https://www.regulations.gov using docket NOAA-NMFS-2025-1131 or mail to the West Coast Region NMFS address listed in the rule.
Charter Vessels: Certified Small Businesses; Limited Economic Effect
NMFS says charter vessels that target Pacific halibut are small businesses (NAICS 487210, SBA size standard $14 million). NMFS issued 117 Area 2A charter permits in 2025 and expects a similar number in 2026, and the agency certified the proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
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Key Dates
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