West Coast Sets 2026 Whiting Catch Limits and Tribal Shares
Published Date: 5/11/2026
Rule
Summary
The 2026 Pacific whiting fishing rules are set for Washington, Oregon, and California, including how much fish can be caught and how it's shared with Tribal groups. These changes help protect fish populations, support Tribal treaty rights, and allow some fish for research. The new rules start May 11, 2026, affecting fishermen and Tribal communities with no major cost changes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
2026 Pacific Whiting Catch Limits Set
The rule sets the 2026 coastwide adjusted total allowable catch (TAC) for Pacific whiting at 380,000 metric tons (mt) and an adjusted U.S. TAC of 280,744 mt. These TAC numbers establish the total amount of whiting available to U.S. and Canadian fisheries for the 2026 fishing year.
Tribal Allocation of 17.5% (49,130.20 mt)
NMFS sets the 2026 Tribal allocation of Pacific whiting at 17.5 percent of the adjusted U.S. TAC, equal to 49,130.20 metric tons (mt). The Tribal allocation is subtracted off the top of the U.S. TAC and is effective through December 31, 2026.
Non-Tribal Harvest Guideline and Sector Quotas
After subtracting the 49,130.20 mt Tribal allocation and a 750 mt set-aside, the 2026 non-Tribal Harvest Guideline (HG) is 230,863.80 mt. That HG is allocated to three sectors: Catcher/Processor (C/P) Co-op Program 34% (78,493.69 mt), Mothership (MS) Co-op Program 24% (55,407.31 mt), and Shorebased IFQ Program 42% (96,962.80 mt). Additionally, the non-Tribal fishery south of 42° N latitude may not take more than 4,848.14 mt prior to May 1, 2026.
750 mt Set-Aside for Research and Incidental Catch
NMFS implements a fixed 750 metric ton (mt) set-aside in 2026 to cover anticipated Pacific whiting mortality from research activities and incidental catch in non-groundfish fisheries. This 750 mt set-aside is deducted from the U.S. TAC before allocating the non-Tribal HG.
No New Compliance Costs; Immediate Effect
NMFS states there are no new recordkeeping, reporting, or major compliance costs associated with this rule for the 2026 whiting season. The rule is effective May 11, 2026 (waiving the 30-day delayed effective date) to allow the commercial sectors to operate under the final allocations for the remainder of the 2026 season.
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