ODFW Sport Pacific Halibut Management


	» ODFW Home » Fish Division » Marine Resources » Pacific halibut management

Marine Resources

Program Home Page

Program Directory

Publications

Commercial Fishing

Sport Fishing

About ODFW Budget Commission Contact us Director's office Economic impact History Jobs Key Performance Measures ODFW policies OR Administrative Rules (OARs) Photo/video gallery Public record requests Volunteering Wildlife Stamp Art & Contests

Fishing Resources Angler education/events Columbia River Commercial Crabbing/clamming Fish counts Learn to fish Recreation Report Regulations/updates Stocking schedule

Hunting Resources Big game Controlled hunts Hunter education Opportunities for youth Recreation Report Regulations Reporting Upland Game Birds Waterfowl Wildlife management

Viewing Resources Photo/video gallery Recreation Report Support wildlife Viewing Map Visitor's Guide Wildlife species

Licenses & Regulations Buy online Commercial Controlled hunts Forms/applications/permits Licenses & fees License sales locations Regulations Reporting

Conservation Resources Conservation Newsletter Conservation Strategy Conservation & Recreation Fund Fish conservation & recovery Climate/Ocean Change Invasive species Marine reserves Nearshore Strategy Oregon Plan Sensitive species Threatened/endangered species Wildlife habitat Wildlife management Wildlife species

Living with Oregon Wildlife Injured/young wildlife Wildlife control operators Wildlife diseases Wildlife rehabilitation

Learn to fish Learn to hunt Calendar of classes / events Hunter education Archery education Shooting/archery ranges Trapper education

MARINE RESOURCES
Commercial and recreational marine fisheries

Management of the Pacific halibut sport fishery

HOT TOPICS

Central coast subarea:
Additional all-depth halibut days added! Open every Thursday-Saturday in July, beginning July 7. The summer fishery begins in August.

Reminder for all subareas:
During days open for all-depth halibut fishing in the months of July and August, EITHER a combination of sablefish, Pacific cod and flatfish species OR longleader rockfish may be retained when halibut are onboard a vessel. Longleader gear fishing may be combined with a halibut trip, but only outside of 40 fathoms, and once rockfish are onboard, no further halibut fishing is allowed.

2022 seasons and regulations (pdf) - updated 6/27

2022 landing estimates through June 19

2021 halibut newsletter (pdf)

Halibut season updates and other resources at MyODFW
Rockfish recompression
Frequently asked questions
Landing estimates archive

Overview

As odd as it may seem (considering where they spend most of their time), Pacific halibut are not a groundfish species, nor are they included in the Pacific Fishery Management Council's groundfish fishery management plan.

Past season and regulation sheets

Setting the seasons

Annual timeline of the process for setting halibut regulations (pdf 1 page)

What about inseason changes? Changes made after the fishing season has commenced, many of which require a change to federal rule, are uncommon and take at least three weeks for approval.

Read how the preseason process for developing sport halibut seasons unfolded each year.

Economic reports

Annual reports from ODFW to IPHC

2010 report (pdf 8 pages)
2009 report (pdf 7 pages)

Catch sharing plans

The Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) is the framework by which Paciific halibut are managed during the year and includes:
- Allocation (between fisheries and between geographical subareas within fisheries)
- Seasons (opening and closing dates, open days of the week)
- Bag limits
- Length limits
- Regulation changes allowed inseason
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

Each file above is 12-14 pages (pdf).

Who does what in Pacific halibut management?

Agency	Tasks
Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife	Solicits public input about regulations (seasons, bag limits, etc.) Makes recommendations to the National Marine Fisheries Service and Pacific Fishery Management Council Samples the sport fishery and produces landing estimates
International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC)	Sets annual harvest levels Conducts Pacific halibut research and stock assessments
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)	Approves and publishes the Catch Sharing Plan and implements managment measures Makes inseason regulatory changes
Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC)	Adopts changes to the Catch Sharing Plan

ODFW Contacts

Lynn Mattes
Project Leader
Lynn.Mattes@odfw.oregon.gov
(541) 857-2553

Christian Heath
Assistant Project Leader
Christian.T.Heath@odfw.oregon.gov
(541) 857-2531

ODFW Home | Driving Directions | Employee Directory | Social Media | Oregon.gov | File Formats | Employee Webmail | ODFW License Agents

4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE :: Salem, OR 97302 :: Main Phone (503) 947-6000 or (800) 720-ODFW [6339]

Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov
Share your opinion or comments on a Fish and Wildlife Commission issue at: odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov

This page was last updated: 06/29/2022 10:27 AM