Alaska Fishery Council Meets to Set Fishing Rules
Published Date: 11/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is holding a hybrid meeting from November 30 to December 9, 2026, to set fishing rules for Alaska’s waters. Fishermen, seafood businesses, and communities depending on fish like halibut, crab, and groundfish will see updates that could affect catch limits and fishing seasons. The meeting is free to join online or in Anchorage, with key decisions coming soon that might impact fishing quotas and local economies.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 7 mixed.
Groundfish TACs for GOA and BSAI
You are directly affected if you fish or run a seafood business in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) or the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI). From November 30 to December 9, 2026, the Council will consider Contextual Information for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and groundfish specifications for GOA and BSAI, and the Council "may take appropriate action" on those items.
BSAI Crab Specifications Review
If you fish crab or run a business tied to Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands (BSAI) crab, the Council will consider BSAI crab specifications during its November 30–December 9, 2026 meeting. The Council may take action on crab specifications that could change catch limits or seasons.
Cook Inlet Salmon Specifications Considered
If you fish salmon or support salmon fisheries in Cook Inlet, the Council will consider proposed Cook Inlet Salmon specifications at the November 30–December 9, 2026 meeting. The Council may act on these proposed specifications, which could change harvest rules for that fishery.
2027 Charter Halibut Management Measures
If you operate a charter halibut business or participate in charter fishing, the Charter Halibut Management Committee will consider 2027 management measures on December 2, 2026, and the Council will consider 2027 Charter Halibut Annual Management Measures during the Council session from December 4–9, 2026. The Council may adopt measures that affect charter operations and access to halibut.
Amendment 80 Replacement Vessel Review
The Council will conduct an initial review of Amendment 80 Replacement Vessel issues during the Advisory Panel and Council meetings between December 2 and December 9, 2026. If the Council takes action, rules about replacing vessels in the Amendment 80 fleet could change and affect vessel owners' operations or costs.
Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Disposition Discussion
The Council will review a Prohibited Species Catch (PSC) Disposition Discussion Paper during the Advisory Panel and Council meetings from December 2–9, 2026. Any actions the Council takes on PSC disposition could change how bycatch is handled and affect fishing operations.
Fishery Disaster Insurance Program Briefing
During the Council's B Reports, there will be a presentation on fishery disaster insurance programs as part of the December 4–9, 2026 Council session. Fishermen and seafood businesses may receive information on disaster insurance programs that could affect financial protection options.
Groundfish FMP Policy Modernization
The Council will consider groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) policy modernization topics during its Advisory Panel and Council meetings from December 2–9, 2026. Policy modernization could lead to future changes in rules for groundfish fisheries that affect fishing operations and planning.
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Key Dates
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