Groundfish / rockfish / lingcod

OCTOBER 2026 Your monthly guide to the Office of the Assistant Administrator: featuring leadership updates, operational tips, team milestones, office highlights, and social events. A Note From the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations Welcome to the OAA Compass! Thank you first to Nicole for spearheading this effort, and to the folks who have volunteered to support the OAA Social Committee for stepping up. As employees of the Office of the Assistant Administrator, you all know that you are asked to support our entire agency, to think across issues and silos and keep our large team moving to meet the NOAA Fisheries mission. I know how committed you all are to serving the mission and the people of this agency. I hope this newsletter, and the efforts that the OAA Social Committee is making to bring us together, will give us space to celebrate OAA as a team, to look not only out at the Line Office, Agency, and Department we serve, but also at each other. I plan to use my spot in this newsletter to highlight movement on priorities and the excellent ongoing mission work that is carried out by OAA, and give you an opportunity to hear from me directly a little more often. For now, welcome to the OAA Compass, welcome to fall, welcome to FY27 - I look forward to building new connections with you. Emily Menashes, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations Gather & Connect Take a break from the screen and join the OAA Team for our Halloween Open House (virtual options available ) ! We’re opening our doors for a department-wide trick-or-treat, with treat stations set up throughout participating offices and the main Front Office area. You can also show off your Halloween spirit by entering our costume contest for a chance to win front office fame. Virtual colleagues are invited to join the fun remotely by submitting costume photos online. It’s a great chance to unplug and celebrate together. Follow up email with more information to come soon. See you there! When: Thursday, October 29 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Where: Front Office (FO) Area & Participating Offices (Virtual options available) OMI Corner Travel Approval Update Please be advised that travel requests will not be approved until systems are restored on October 21, 2026. Travelers are encouraged to plan accordingly and anticipate delays in the approval process during this period. For urgent or emergency travel needs requiring immediate attention, please contact Camille Jones at Camille.jones@noaa.gov for assistance. Make a Splash During Fall Clean Up Days! It’s time to clear the clutter and make waves for a cleaner workspace! Join us for Fall Clean Up Days on October 21–22 , with dumpsters and recycle bins conveniently located near our OAA offices, including Aquaculture on the 12th floor. Specific details to follow as the dates approach. There will also be bins available for sensitive information. This is a great opportunity to tackle unwanted items, refresh your workspace, and help keep NOAA Fisheries organized and clutter-free. Let’s dive in and make a big splash together! Office Highlight Teacher at Sea Program NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program just wrapped up our 36th year by sailing 11 teachers from across the country on NOAA research vessels as members of the science team. Our 2026 class of teachers represented 10 states: AL, DE, KS (2), MD, NH, NY, OH, OR, SC, and VA. Teachers wrote blogs to share the science and significance of their missions with their students, as well as personal stories about their experiences at sea. Six vessels hosted Teachers at Sea this year: NOAA Ships Oregon II, Henry B. Bigelow, Pisces, Reuben Lasker, Oscar Dyson , and Thomas Jefferson. Our teachers supported a wide variety of research including groundfish, sea scallop, pollock, shark/red snapper, ecosystem monitoring, and hydrographic surveys. Teacher at Sea supports NOAA’s overall education and outreach efforts. More specifically, we connect our real-world scientific research to classrooms and the public through the teachers' logs, presentations, and outreach events. To date, we’ve sailed over 900 teachers (PDF) from every state in the U.S. Teachers describe participating in our program as professionally and personally transformative. Our host scientists, NOAA Corps Officers, and wage grade staff often tell us that the teachers' curiosity and enthusiasm helps build positive morale and provides a way for staff to share their work with friends and family while they are at sea. Do you know a teacher who may be interested in sailing as a Teacher at Sea? If so, please let them know that there is a preview of our application online now and teachers can start applying through our online system on 11/01. Applications are due 11/30, including two recommendations. More information can be found on our “ How to Apply ” page. Teachers usually spend around 14 days at sea working 12 hour shifts as part of the scientific team. They write blogs from sea and create 1-2 lesson products when they return. Finally, our program covers travel to and from the ship so there is no expense for the teacher. As we close out this season, we’ll be working on our 2026 Year in Review to send out in early January. If you’d like to learn more about what we accomplished in 2025, visit this page (PDF). If you have any questions about our program, please reach out to either Jennifer Hammond or Emily Susko . Photo Caption: Melina Vella is an informal educator (interpretive naturalist) at the Dupont Nature Center in Milford, Delaware. In September, Melina sailed on a Northeast bottom trawl survey aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. In this picture, Melina is holding an angel shark. Personnel Changes Mona Bellamy joins us as an Administrative Assistant, bringing a wealth of experience to the OMI Team. Previously, Mona spent a year with the Department of State (DOS) at the National Foreign Affairs Training Center (NFATC) and the Special Issuance Agency, where she served as a Program Support Assistant and Passport Associate. Before that, she supported the Minority Business Development Agency and the Department of Veterans Affairs as both a Program Analyst and Program Specialist. Mona is based in the Front Office and can be reached via email at mona.bellamy@noaa.gov . Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, walking in the park, watching movies (excluding horror), and sharing a good meal over engaging conversation. Happy Birthday to Our October Celebrants! Wishing everyone celebrating a birthday this October a wonderful day and a year ahead filled with happiness, new opportunities, and meaningful moments! Contact arminta.mckinney@noaa.gov if you have any questions about this newsletter.

. October 9, 2026 Final Gear Marking and Entanglement Risk Reduction Measures in the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Single-line allowance effective October 13, 2026. Gear marking provisions and surface line length limitation e ffective January 11, 2027. Illustration of pot gear deployed using the single-line allowance (upper) effective October 13, 2026 and illustration of bottom longline gear deployed continuing to mark both ends at the surface (lower). Single-line allowance applies to both gear types and is a voluntary measure, effective October 13, 2026. Credit: Tom Crestodina/Oregon Sea Grant NOAA Fisheries implements (as filed, October 9, 2026) entanglement risk reduction measures and gear marking requirements that apply to vessels using pot or bottom longline gear in the commercial, non-Tribal, Pacific Coast groundfish fishery (including all commercial groundfish sectors). These measures were recommended by the Pacific Fishery Management Council at its June, 2024 meeting and published in a proposed rule on February 6, 2026 (91 FR 5408). Effective October 13, 2026 , groundfish pot and bottom longline gear is no longer required to be marked on the surface at both terminal ends . Operators may choose to deploy, at their discretion, vertical line and surface gear at one terminal end of a set. Effective January 11, 2027, Gear-specific color schemes required for the top 120 linear feet (20 fathoms) of lines ; orange/blue for pot and brown/blue for bottom longline. Lines for these gears in the water on or after 0000 hours January 11, 2027, must be in compliance with these new rules. Temporary marking of lines (see Compliance Guide for specifics and examples) is allowed through January 11, 2030. Effective January 11, 2027, Gear-specific buoy marking (tags or marks directly on buoys) required for all buoys (see Compliance Guide for specifics). Buoys for these gears that are in the water on or after 0000 hours January 11, 2027, must be in compliance with these new rules. Effective January 11, 2027, Length of each surface line (the line that connects any and all buoys in the surface gear) cannot exceed 60 linear feet (10 fm) . Surface lines marking commercial groundfish pot or bottom longline gear in the water after 0000 hours January 11, 2027, may not exceed 60 feet in length. All materials, including a Compliance Guide, will be available at NMFS West Coast Region website on our Gear Marking and Entanglement Risk Reduction page by close of business on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Additionally, some supporting materials are available on Regulations.gov . Search for “NOAA-NMFS-2024-0045”. Gear marking requirements are implemented consistent with the Paperwork Reduction Act collection # 0648-0352. Questions? For more information contact Gretchen Hanshew, gretchen.hanshew@noaa.gov , 206-526-6147. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

. October 5 , 2026 3rd Reapportionment of Tribal Pacific Whiting Allocation for 2026 Regulations at 50 CFR 660.131 (h) provide for the reapportionment of Pacific whiting Tribal allocations that the Regional Administrator determines will not be used by the end of the fishing year. On Sept 14, 2026, NMFS took action to reapportion 9,565 metric tons (mt) of the 2026 Tribal allocation of 49,130 mt of Pacific whiting to the non-Tribal commercial sectors, leaving a revised Tribal allocation of 39,565 mt. NMFs again took action on September 23, 2026 to reapportion an additional 9,565 mt of the 2026 Tribal allocation leaving a revised allocation of 30,000 mt. This notice announces the third such reapportionment of Tribal Pacific whiting to the non-Tribal sectors for 2026. Best available information indicates that an additional 10,000 mt of the revised 2026 Tribal allocation of 30,000 mt of Pacific whiting will not be used by December 31, 2026. Reapportioning this amount to the non-Tribal sectors is expected to allow for greater attainment of the U.S. Total Allowable Catch. The non-Tribal commercial sectors have expressed an interest in this potential for additional 2026 harvest of Pacific whiting. In addition, recent conversations between NMFS and Tribal fishery managers indicate that reapportioning 10,000 mt leaving a revised Tribal allocation of 20,000 mt will not limit Tribal harvest opportunities for the remainder of the year. NMFS is taking action at this time to reapportion 10,000 mt of Pacific whiting Tribal allocations to the non-Tribal commercial fishery sectors. Reapportionments are disbursed to the non-Tribal fishery sectors in the same proportion as each sector's allotted portion of the fishery harvest guideline specified in the regulations at 50 CFR 660.55(i)(2) . In the Shorebased IFQ program, whiting quota pounds will be allocated to quota share accounts as soon as feasible. Effective 3:45 pm (15:45 ) PST, on October 5, 2026 , 10,000 mt of Pacific whiting are reapportioned from the Tribal allocation to the non-Tribal commercial Pacific whiting fishery. The revised Pacific whiting allocations by sector for 2026 are listed below: Allocation (share) Reapportionment (mt) Revised 2026 Sector Allocations (mt) C/P Coop Program 34% 3,400 88,397.89 MS Coop Program 24% 2,400 62,398.51 Shorebased IFQ Program 42% 4,200 109,197.40 Total reapportioned 10,000 As required under the 2017 Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) biological opinion on the effects of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan on listed salmonids and regulations at 50 CFR 660.131(h)(5) , NMFS considered the number and bycatch rate of Chinook salmon taken in the Pacific whiting fishery. Based on the best available information in October 2026, NMFS determined there is low risk that the reapportionment will cause the Pacific whiting sector fisheries to exceed both the guideline limit of 11,000 and reserve of 3,500 Chinook salmon under current regulations and practices. At the time of this notice, incidental take of Chinook salmon by the non-Tribal sectors is less than 25% of the guideline limit. NMFS will continue to monitor Chinook salmon bycatch as part of in-season management. The initial 2026 Pacific whiting allocations are detailed in the May 11, 2026 Final Rule for 2026 Pacific Whiting Harvest Specifications, 2026 Tribal Allocation, and 2026 Incidental Set-Aside (91 FR 25511) . Questions? Contact Colin Sayre, Pacific Whiting Treaty Coordinator, at colin.sayre@noaa.gov or (206) 526-4656 Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

. September 29, 2026 Inseason Adjustments to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Commercial Fisheries for 2025-26 NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule ( 91 FR 61344 ) implementing a correction to routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial groundfish fisheries published on August 20, 2026 (91 FR 53737). This action revises regulations to include adjusted limited entry and open access sablefish trip limits between 40°10′ North latitude (N lat.) and 36° N lat. This action is intended to allow commercial fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks. Questions? Contact: Megan Mackey, Fishery Management Specialist, phone: (206) 526-6140, email: megan.mackey@noaa.gov Please visit our website for more information . Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

. September 23 , 2026 2nd Reapportionment of Tribal Pacific Whiting Allocation for 2026 Regulations at 50 CFR 660.131 (h) provide for the reapportionment of Pacific whiting Tribal allocations that the Regional Administrator determines will not be used by the end of the fishing year. On Sept 14, 2026, NMFS took action to reapportion 9,565 metric tons (mt) of the 2026 Tribal allocation of 49,130 mt of Pacific whiting to the non-Tribal commercial sectors, leaving a revised Tribal allocation of 39,565 mt. This notice announces the second such reapportionment of Tribal Pacific whiting to the non-Tribal sectors for 2026. Best available information indicates that an additional 9,565 mt of the revised 2026 Tribal allocation of 39,565 mt of Pacific whiting will not be used by December 31, 2026. Reapportioning this amount to the non-Tribal sectors is expected to allow for greater attainment of the U.S. Total Allowable Catch. The non-Tribal commercial sectors have expressed an interest in this potential for additional 2026 harvest of Pacific whiting. In addition, recent conversations between NMFS and Tribal fishery managers indicate that reapportioning 9,565 mt leaving a revised Tribal allocation of 30,000 mt will not limit Tribal harvest opportunities for the remainder of the year. NMFS is taking action at this time to reapportion 9,565 mt of Pacific whiting Tribal allocations to the non-Tribal commercial fishery sectors. Reapportionments are disbursed to the non-Tribal fishery sectors in the same proportion as each sector's allotted portion of the fishery harvest guideline specified in the regulations at 50 CFR 660.55(i)(2) . In the Shorebased IFQ program, whiting quota pounds will be allocated to quota share accounts as soon as feasible. Effective 3:38 pm (15:38 ) PST, on September 23, 2026 , 9,565 mt of Pacific whiting are reapportioned from the Tribal allocation to the non-Tribal commercial Pacific whiting fishery. The revised Pacific whiting allocations by sector for 2026 are listed below: Allocation (share) Reapportionment (mt) Revised 2025 Sector Allocations (mt) C/P Coop Program 34% 3,252.10 84,997.89 MS Coop Program 24% 2,295.60 59,998.51 Shorebased IFQ Program 42% 4,017.30 104,997.40 Total reapportioned 9,565 As required under the 2017 Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) biological opinion on the effects of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan on listed salmonids and regulations at 50 CFR 660.131(h)(5) , NMFS considered the number and bycatch rate of Chinook salmon taken in the Pacific whiting fishery. Based on the best available information in September 2026, NMFS determined there is low risk that the reapportionment will cause the Pacific whiting sector fisheries to exceed both the guideline limit of 11,000 and reserve of 3,500 Chinook salmon under current regulations and practices. At the time of this notice, incidental take of Chinook salmon by the non-Tribal sector is less than 20% of the guideline limit. NMFS will continue to monitor Chinook salmon bycatch as part of in-season management. The initial 2026 whiting allocations are detailed in the May 11, 2026 Final Rule for 2026 Pacific Whiting Harvest Specifications, 2026 Tribal Allocation, and 2026 Incidental Set-Aside (91 FR 25511) . Questions? Contact Colin Sayre, Pacific Whiting Treaty Coordinator, at colin.sayre@noaa.gov or (206) 526-4656 Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

. September 22, 2026 Proposed Rule for 2027 - 28 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures Comment period closes on October 22, 2026. A school of widow rockfish in Soquel Canyon, Monterey Bay. Credit: Diana Watters, NOAA's Southwest Fisheries Science Center NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule for the 2027 - 28 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures and Amendment 38 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which published today in the Federal Register ( 91 FR 60238 ). The public comment period on the proposed rule is open through October 22, 2026. What is included in this proposed rule? This rule proposes: 2027-28 harvest specifications for groundfish caught in the U.S. exclusive economic zone seaward of Washington, Oregon, and California; and Management measures intended to keep the total annual catch of each groundfish stock or stock complex within the annual catch limits. These proposed measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure management measures are based on the best scientific information available. This rule also includes proposed regulations to implement Amendment 38 to the Pacific Coast Groundfish FMP. A Notice of Availability ( 91 FR 45764 ) containing the proposed changes to the FMP published in the Federal Register on July 19, 2026; the comment period for Amendment 38 ended on September 19, 2026. If approved, Amendment 38 would remove yelloweye rockfish and California quillback rockfish from their respective rebuilding plans. Please visit our website for more information. Questions? Contact Lynn Massey, Fishery Management Specialist, email: lynn.massey@noaa.gov or phone: (562) 900-2060. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

. September 21, 2026 West Coast Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery: Closure Announcement NOAA Fisheries announces the closure of the 2026 Area 2A non-Tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery. As of September 21, 2026, the directed commercial fleet harvested an estimated 96% of the 261,211-pound (118 mt) allocation, net weight. NOAA Fisheries determined there is not sufficient allocation remaining for an additional fishing period that would not risk exceeding the 2A non-Tribal directed commercial allocation. Preliminary Harvest Estimates Fishing period #1 (June 23-25): 65,129 pounds (30 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #2 (July 7-9): 50,633 pounds (23 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #3 (July 21-23): 44,127 pounds (20 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #4 (August 18-20): 51,837 pounds (23 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #5 (September 1-3): 13,574 pounds (6 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #6 (September 15-17): 26,345 pounds (12 mt) net weight caught More Information Regulations listed above are only a partial list of applicable regulations. Some helpful links to more regulations and resources include: The 2026 non-Tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery website. The West Coast Pacific halibut website . Pacific halibut fishery regulations at 50 CFR Part 300 Subpart E . IPHC regulations adopted annually by NOAA Fisheries ( 91 FR 14464 and on the IPHC website ). West Coast Groundfish compliance guides , commercial fishing website , and regulations . Questions? Contact the West Coast Region Pacific halibut team at nmfs.wcr.halibut@noaa.gov . Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

. September 14 , 2026 Reapportionment of Tribal Pacific Whiting Allocation for 2026 Regulations at 50 CFR 660.131 (h) provide for the reapportionment of Pacific whiting Tribal allocations that the Regional Administrator determines will not be used by the end of the fishing year. The best available information in September 2026 indicates that at least 9,565 metric tons (mt) of the 2026 Tribal allocation of 49,130 mt of Pacific whiting will not be used by December 31, 2026. Reapportioning this amount to the non-Tribal sectors is expected to allow for greater attainment of the U.S. Total Allowable Catch. All non-Tribal commercial sectors have expressed an interest in this potential for additional 2026 harvest of Pacific whiting. In addition, recent conversations between NMFS and Tribal fishery managers indicate that reapportioning 9,565 mt leaving a Tribal allocation of 39,565 mt will not limit Tribal harvest opportunities for the remainder of the year. NMFS is taking action at this time to reapportion 9,565 mt of Pacific whiting Tribal allocations to the non-Tribal commercial fishery sectors. Reapportionments are disbursed to the non-Tribal fishery sectors in the same proportion as each sector's allotted portion of the fishery harvest guideline specified in the regulations at 50 CFR 660.55(i)(2) . In the Shorebased IFQ program, whiting quota pounds will be allocated to quota share accounts as soon as feasible. Effective 4:28 pm (16:28 ) PST, on September 14, 2026 , 9,565 mt of Pacific whiting are reapportioned from the Tribal allocation to the non-Tribal commercial Pacific whiting fishery. The revised Pacific whiting allocations by sector for 2026 are listed below: Allocation (share) Reapportionment (mt) Revised 2025 Sector Allocations (mt) C/P Coop Program 34% 3,252.10 81,745.79 MS Coop Program 24% 2,295.60 57,702.91 Shorebased IFQ Program 42% 4,017.30 100,980.10 Total reapportioned 9,565 As required under the 2017 Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7(a)(2) biological opinion on the effects of the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan on listed salmonids and regulations at 50 CFR 660.131(h)(5) , NMFS considered the number and bycatch rate of Chinook salmon taken in the Pacific whiting fishery. Based on the best available information in September 2026, NMFS determined there is low risk that the reapportionment will cause the Pacific whiting sector fisheries to exceed both the guideline limit of 11,000 and reserve of 3,500 Chinook salmon under current regulations and practices. At the time of this notice, incidental take of Chinook salmon by the non-Tribal sector is less than 20% of the guideline limit. NMFS will continue to monitor Chinook salmon bycatch as part of in-season management. The initial 2026 whiting allocations are detailed in the May 11, 2026 Final Rule for 2026 Pacific Whiting Harvest Specifications, 2026 Tribal Allocation, and 2026 Incidental Set-Aside (91 FR 25511) . Questions? Contact Colin Sayre, Pacific Whiting Treaty Coordinator, at colin.sayre@noaa.gov or (206) 526-4656 Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

. September 10, 2026 Inseason Notice: West Coast Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery 6th Fishing Period NOAA Fisheries announces a sixth fishing period for the 2026 Area 2A non-Tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery. The total allocation for this fishery is 261,211 pounds (118 mt), net weight, with an estimated 37,450 pounds (16 mt) remaining. 5th Fishing Period Dates A sixth fishing period will open on September 15 at 8:00 a.m. and will close on September 17 at 6:00 p.m . 5th Fishing Period Limit The fishing period limit (vessel catch limit) is equal among all vessel size classes, set at 5,000 pounds (2.268 mt) , dressed weight (head-on with ice/slime). Preliminary Harvest Estimate Fishing period #1 (June 23-25): 65,129 pounds (30 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #2 (July 7-9): 50,633 pounds (23 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #3 (July 21-23): 44,127 pounds (20 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #4 (August 18-20): 50,298 pounds (23 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #5 (September 1-3): 13,574 pounds (6 mt) net weight caught Other Regulations and Resources Regulations listed above are only a partial list of applicable regulations. Some helpful links to more regulations and resources include: The 2026 non-Tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery website. The West Coast Pacific halibut website . Pacific halibut fishery regulations at 50 CFR Part 300 Subpart E . IPHC regulations adopted annually by NOAA Fisheries ( 91 FR 14464 and on the IPHC website ). West Coast Groundfish compliance guides , commercial fishing website , and regulations . Questions? Contact the West Coast Region Pacific halibut team at nmfs.wcr.halibut@noaa.gov. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website

. August 25, 2026 Inseason Notice: West Coast Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery 5th Fishing Period NOAA Fisheries announces a fifth fishing period for the 2026 Area 2A non-Tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery. The total allocation for this fishery is 261,211 pounds (118 mt), net weight, with an estimated 51,415 pounds (23 mt) remaining. 5th Fishing Period Dates A fifth fishing period will open on September 1 at 8:00 a.m. and will close on September 3 at 6:00 p.m . 5th Fishing Period Limit The fishing period limit (vessel catch limit) is equal among all vessel size classes, set at 5,000 pounds (2.268 mt) , dressed weight (head-on with ice/slime). Preliminary Harvest Estimate Fishing period #1 (June 23-25): 65,129 pounds (31 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #2 (July 7-9): 50,633 pounds (23 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #3 (July 21-23): 44,116 pounds (20 mt) net weight caught Fishing period #4 (August 18-20): 49,907 pounds (23 mt) net weight caught Other Regulations and Resources Regulations listed above are only a partial list of applicable regulations. Some helpful links to more regulations and resources include: The 2026 non-Tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery website. The West Coast Pacific halibut website . Pacific halibut fishery regulations at 50 CFR Part 300 Subpart E . IPHC regulations adopted annually by NOAA Fisheries ( 91 FR 14464 and on the IPHC website ). West Coast Groundfish compliance guides , commercial fishing website , and regulations . Questions? Contact the West Coast Region Pacific halibut team at nmfs.wcr.halibut@noaa.gov. Fishery Bulletins and Notices Visit NOAA Fisheries' Rules & Regulations directory to learn more about recent federal management actions affecting managed fish species on the West Coast. Visit the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Regional Office website