Pacific Halibut Fisheries of the West Coast; Inseason Action for the 2023 Area 2A Pacific Halibut Directed Commercial Fishery

NMFS announces an inseason action for the 2023 non-tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery that operates south of Point Chehalis, Washington (lat. 46[deg]53.30' N) in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. Specifically, this action adds an additional fishing period beginning on August 1, 2023 at 8 a.m. and closing on August 3, 2023 at 6 p.m. and implements a fishing period catch limit of 1,000 pounds (lb) (0.45 mt) dressed weight for all vessel size classes. This action is intended to conserve Pacific halibut and provide commercial fishing opportunity where available.