The most recent Pacific halibut fishing season ended on 7 December, and preliminary data shows that commercial landings across the West Coast of the U.S. and Canada are down.
By early December, coastwide commercial landings of halibut totaled 16.7 million pounds, down 16 percent from the same time last year and reaching just 80 percent of the allowable catch limit for the season.
According to a report conducted by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and presented at its interim meeting on December 2, total halibut takes from all sectors – commercial, sport, personal use, and subsistence – totaled 28.8 million pounds, down 12 percent from last year and marking the lowest removal totals in 100 years.
Alaska has projected 2025 landings at all ports through 7 December at just over 11.7 million pounds, which is 22 percent below the statewide commercial fishery limit for the year.
A separate IPHC fisheries overview showed that landings were down at all Alaska ports.
Halibut deliveries dropped by 16 percent for Area 2C (Southeast Alaska), by 8 percent for Area 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska), and 12 percent for Area 3B (Western Gulf). The biggest declines came farther west, with catches declining 33 percent for Area 4A (Aleutians region), 78 percent for Area 4B (Bering Sea), and 57 percent for 4CDE (Bering Sea).
Halibut bycatch, meanwhile, was estimated to be 4.6 million pounds in 2025, up 6 percent from 2024 and representing the highest estimate since 2019.
These totals come as reports have indicated Pacific halibut spawning biomass has dropped to its lowest levels in 40 years.
Fishery managers have posited that the halibut decline is likely due to two factors – low weights and a lack of recruitment.
The IPHC’s annual meeting is scheduled to take place 19 to 22 January 2026 in Bellevue, Washington, U.S.A., when annual catch limits for 2026 are set to be announced.
Reporting by Laine Welch
