Fisheries off West Coast States: Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; Emergency Action to Temporarily Increase 2026 Harvest Specifications and Sector Allocations for Shortspine Thornyhead, Canary Rockfish, and Petrale Sole
Summary
The federal government is temporarily allowing West Coast fishing companies to catch more of three specific types of fish—shortspine thornyhead, canary rockfish, and petrale sole—in 2026 than previously planned. This emergency action aims to help the fishing industry respond to changes in fish populations, though it comes with a deadline for public feedback by late February 2026.
Key Points
- 1Fishing companies off California, Oregon, and Washington can now harvest larger amounts of three specific groundfish species in 2026 than the original plan allowed
- 2The regulation is temporary and classified as an emergency action, meaning it bypassed some normal regulatory procedures to take effect quickly
- 3The public has until February 24, 2026, to submit comments about this decision to NOAA (the federal agency overseeing marine resources)
- 4This affects commercial fishing operations and could influence seafood availability and prices for consumers on the West Coast
- 5The decision reflects changing conditions in fish populations that prompted regulators to adjust catch limits mid-year rather than waiting for the normal planning cycle
Key Dates
January 22, 2026
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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