Pacific halibut is managed by the United States and Canada in a bilateral commission known as the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC). Each year, the IPHC sets total allowable catch levels for halibut that will be caught in the U.S. and Canadian exclusive economic zones in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The IPHC refers to U.S. waters off the states of Washington, Oregon and California collectively as Area 2A. Regulations for Area 2A are set by NOAA Fisheries's Northwest Regional Office. Halibut in Area 2A is divided between tribal and non-tribal fisheries, between commercial and recreational fisheries, and between recreational fisheries in different states (Washington, Oregon and California). The Pacific Fishery Management Council describes this halibut catch division each year in a catch-sharing plan.

Halibut, Fraser Panel & Ocean Salmon Fishing Information Hotline: 800-662-9825

 2012 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Management

Feb. 3, 2012: Proposed changes to Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (PDF 178KB)

2011 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Management

July 19, 2011: Pacific halibut bycatch quota for remainder of 2011 fishery (PDF 173KB)

Apr. 29, 2011: 2011 Pacific Halibut Closed Area

Apr. 29, 2011: 2011 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A (PDF 73KB)

Mar. 16, 2011: 2011 Pacific Halibut Fisheries; Catch Sharing Plan (PDF 1.3MB)

Jan. 18, 2011: Proposed rule to approve and implement changes to Pacific halibut catch-sharing plan for Area 2A (PDF 287KB)

2010 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Management

2010 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (PDF 59KB)

2010 Pacific Halibut Closed Areas

May 4, 2010: Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments; Pacific Halibut Fisheries (PDF 318KB)

Mar. 18, 2010: Final Rule to implement 2010 changes to the Pacific Halibut Fisheries Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A (PDF 419KB)

Feb. 4, 2010: Proposed rule to implement 2010 changes to the Pacific Halibut Fisheries Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A (PDF 80KB)

2009 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Management

2009 Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan (PDF 817KB)

2009 Pacific Halibut Closed Areas 

Mar. 19, 2009: Final rule on annual management measures and modifications to Pacific halibut catch-sharing plan for Area 2A (PDF 347KB)

Jan. 14, 2009: Proposed rule to implement 2009 changes to the Pacific Halibut Fisheries Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A (PDF 74KB)