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Council asks NMFS for emergency increases to 2026 ACLs for canary rockfish, petrale sole and shortspine thornyhead
Summary
Using new catch‑only projections and advisory‑body recommendations, the Pacific Fishery Management Council voted to request NOAA Fisheries issue an emergency rule to increase 2026 ACLs for three constraining species and to distribute the increases proportionally across sectors.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council voted on Sept. 15 to ask the National Marine Fisheries Service to issue an emergency regulation that would raise 2026 annual catch limits for canary rockfish, petrale sole and shortspine thornyhead.
Council staff presented catch‑only projections requested in June; the Northwest Fisheries Science Center produced 2026 projection runs for the three species. The SSC reviewed those projections and judged the runs were conducted correctly and that revised ABCs remain below OFLs for 2026. The GMT and GAP recommended emergency increases, and the GAP asked the council to distribute any ACL increases proportionally across all groundfish sectors.
Asia Sumalo moved that the council request NMFS adopt an emergency rule raising the 2026 ACLs for the three species and to distribute increases proportionally (with research and incidental open‑access set‑asides unchanged). The motion was seconded and passed; one council member recorded a procedural 'no' to preserve the Secretary of Commerce's discretionary authority over the emergency rule process.
Advisers and industry witnesses told the council the combined reductions adopted earlier this year — cuts of 55% for canary, 60% for shortspine and nearly 28% for petrale — were large and immediate, and that new projections support modest increases that would not jeopardize stock status. GAP and GMT materials showed the proposed increases would provide operational relief across sectors, reduce choke risks and lengthen seasons, and help processors and coastal communities retain revenue.
What happens next: Council staff will transmit the council’s request to NOAA Fisheries. If NMFS adopts an emergency action, initial regulations can take effect quickly but are limited in duration (typically ~180 days) and may be extended once. Council staff flagged that longer‑term solutions are being developed in the harvest‑specifications flexibility work and possible spec‑flex follow‑on actions.
Representative quote: "For minimal biological impact, the emergency action could prevent significant direct economic loss and preserve fishing opportunities," Asia Sumalo said in support.
Ending: The council completed its task and directed staff to work with NMFS on transmittal and to continue the specs flexibility work so the council and agency can consider longer‑term approaches.
