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HOT TOPICS
New regulations for the 2023 Catch Sharing Plan have been adopted, consistent with recommendations from ODFW, and are summarized below. For more detail, see the ODFW report on proposed changes.
- Allow longleader gear fishing and retention of sablefish, Pacific cod, and other flatfish with all-depth halibut on the same trip.
- If the Central Oregon Coast Subarea spring all-depth allocation is greater than 100,000 pounds, the season will open May 1.
- If the Central Oregon Coast Subarea allocation (all-depth and nearshore combined) is 200,000 pounds or more, the daily bag limit may be increased to two halibut per day, with the intent of taking the entire subarea allocation by September 30.
- If the Central Oregon Coast Subarea spring all-depth allocation is more than 100,000 pounds, the season may open up to seven days per week during months when the bottomfish fishery is also open at all depths; during months the bottomfish fishery is depth- restricted, the all-depth halibut season would be open Thursday through Saturday; and if it is estimated that there will be 60,000 pounds or more remaining on the Central Coast allocation (all-depth and nearshore combined) after August 1, the all-depth halibut fishery may be open up to seven days per week during months when the bottomfish fishery is also open at all depths.
What's happens next?
- The 2023 catch limit will be set by IPHC at its annual meeting, January 23-27.
- ODFW will host a public meeting in February to gather input from anglers on the 2023 recreational halibut season fishing dates.
- Recommended season dates will be available in the spring.
- The Commission will finalize the 2023 recreational halibut fishery on April 21, 2023.
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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.
- Annual timeline of the process (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.
2022
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
Here you can find past information such as regulations and season maps, preseason processes, and catch sharing plans.
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Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
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- 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
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International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC)
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- Sets annual harvest levels
- Conducts Pacific halibut research and stock assessments
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National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
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- Approves and publishes the Catch Sharing Plan and implements managment measures
- Makes inseason regulatory changes
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Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC)
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- Adopts changes to the Catch Sharing Plan
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