West Coast Sablefish Fishers Get New Gear Freedom
Published Date: 7/22/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting August 6, 2026, new rules give West Coast fixed gear fishers more freedom with their gear and fishing times, especially for sablefish. The rules also scrap some old permit limits and introduce a cost recovery program to help cover management costs. Fishers need to be ready to comply with some changes by December 1, 2027, which might affect their fishing plans and expenses.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
New gear flexibility for LE non-trawl permits
You (owners/operators of limited entry fixed-gear vessels) may use a single limited entry non-trawl permit to fish with any legal non-trawl groundfish gear except entangling nets (including set, gill, and trammel nets). This change takes effect August 6, 2026 and allows use of pots, bottom longline, vertical hook-and-line, and other non-trawl configurations to harvest LE sablefish tier limits and groundfish trip limits.
Registration blocked until cost recovery fees paid
The rule adds a requirement that a vessel may not be registered to any limited entry non-trawl permits with a sablefish endorsement until payment of all cost recovery program fees required under Sec. 660.231(c) has been made. The regulation establishing this registration condition is part of the final rule (Sec. 660.25(b)(4)(i)(H)).
Removal of base permit designation
The rule removes the regulatory requirement to designate a "base permit" for limited entry non-trawl permits. This change is intended to reduce administrative burden on permit holders and NMFS staff and is effective August 6, 2026.
Noon cutoff removed for sablefish season days
The rule removes the specified start and end times ("noon local time") for the LE non-trawl primary sablefish season while keeping the season dates April 1 through December 31. This change is effective August 6, 2026 and simplifies when you may lawfully fish on the start and end days of the season.
New cost recovery fees for sablefish tier fishery
If you make landings of sablefish in the LEFG primary (tier) program, the rule makes you (the vessel owner or authorized representative) responsible for paying fees to recover the actual management, data, and enforcement costs of that limited access privilege program. No fees are due immediately; NMFS will compile at least one full fiscal year of costs and will not require fee compliance until it issues the first fee announcement, and in no case before December 1, 2027.
New paperwork and reporting for cost recovery
The rule adds a cost recovery information collection under OMB Control Number 0648-0663, including one new payment form for the sablefish primary fishery. NMFS expects at most 164 additional respondents (likely closer to 100 due to permit stacking), with an estimated 1 hour per annual response, adding about 100 hours to the annual public reporting burden.
Observer departure notice extended to 48 hours
When your vessel will carry an observer, you must now notify NMFS of intended departure time and the gear type at least 48 hours in advance, replacing the prior 24-hour notification requirement. This change is part of the rule changes effective August 6, 2026.
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