Council keeps 2025 incidental halibut limits for salmon troll fishery; SAS recommended status quo

The Pacific Fishery Management Council adopted April 12 the Salmon Advisory Subpanel’s recommendation to keep the 2025 incidental Pacific halibut retention limits in the ocean salmon troll fishery at the status quo: one halibut per two Chinook (a 1:2 ratio) with a 35‑halibut maximum per trip. The restriction applies to the May 16 start of the 2025 salmon troll fishery and will remain in effect until modified in season or superseded by 2026 measures.

SAS recommendation and rationale: Salmon Advisory Subpanel (SAS) members reviewed the four options presented for public comment and recommended maintaining the existing limit—the 1:2 ratio with a 35‑halibut trip limit—after considering projected changes in fisher behavior and coastwide effort. Ryan Johnson for the SAS summarized the panel’s position: “The SAS recommends the following catch limits for final adoption. Option 1, status quo… License holders may land no more than 1 Pacific halibut per each 2 Chinook. No more than 35 halibut landed per trip.”

Council action: Council member Heather (mover) put forward the SAS recommendation; the motion was seconded by Lynn Mattis and the council adopted the status‑quo landing restrictions unanimously.

Context and next steps: council staff will incorporate the adopted landing restriction into the salmon troll options tables and managers will use the adopted limit in in‑season monitoring and any subsequent adjustments. The SAS also reiterated support for a March 15 permit deadline beginning in 2026 to help participants make informed decisions once seasons are known.

Ending: the council’s action maintains the incidental halibut framework used in recent years and directs staff and managers to apply the adopted ratio and trip limit during 2025 monitoring and in‑season adjustments.