Halibut Stamp Purchase Deadline for CHP Holders

This presentation by Doug Duncan of NOAA Fisheries provides an update on the Recreational Quota Entity (RQE) halibut stamp program as of October 19, 2026. The report details the financial status of the program, noting that 185,436 stamps have been used, representing $3,708,720 in value. Of the 468 Charter Halibut Permit (CHP) holders, 250 currently have a deficit of stamps, while 80 have a surplus. NOAA Fisheries outlined critical compliance deadlines, emphasizing that CHP holders must purchase sufficient stamps to cover all annual usage by December 31. Failure to reconcile negative balances after this date will trigger a formal notice, requiring payment or evidence of error within 30 days. If unresolved, the agency will freeze the associated CHPs and Quota Share/Individual Fishing Quota (QS/IFQ) accounts. The document also clarifies that NOAA Fisheries is not involved in CHP leasing, placing the responsibility for stamp fee collection squarely on the CHP holder, regardless of who operates the vessel. Additionally, the RQE holds 25,974 QS units, which will be added to the 2027 charter allocation, and the agency is currently working on a grant for the RQE for the upcoming year.