Pacific Halibut

The United States and Canada jointly manage Pacific halibut in a bilateral commission known as the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). Each year, the IPHC sets the total allowable catch (TAC) for halibut that will be caught in U.S. and Canadian waters in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. NOAA Fisheries establishes regulations for U.S. waters off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California (Area 2A). Halibut in this region are divided among tribal and non-tribal fisheries, commercial and recreational fisheries. The Pacific Fishery Management Council's catch sharing plan outlines the halibut catch division within Area 2A. For area closures, we only provide information on marine areas closed to halibut fishing by federal regulation. The states of Washington, Oregon, and California may have additional closures.

Resources

2016 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A 133KB

2015 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A 309KB

2014 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A 86KB

2013 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A 61KB

2012 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A 74KB