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)
- 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.
2024
The Catch Sharing Plan (CSP) is the framework by which Pacific 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.
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
|
Christian Heath
Project Leader
Christian.T.Heath@odfw.oregon.gov
(541) 857-2531
Melanie Bukovec
Assistant Project Leader
Melanie.A.Bukovec@odfw.oregon.gov
(541) 857-2530 |