Halibut Landings Lag 80% Behind Quota as Prices Hit $7/lb

Alaska's commercial fishers and chefs are praising premium sablefish and halibut as dock prices hold strong at $6 to $7 per pound for halibut and $4 to $7 per pound for sablefish during the Individual Fishing Quota season, even as halibut landings move slowly through early May 2026.

Only 3.5 million pounds of halibut had been landed against a 19 million-pound limit by May 2, according to Alaska Fish Factor market reports. That represents 18 percent of the total quota. Sablefish landings tell a different story, with 24 million pounds caught.

Alaska News previously reported that Alaskans were sharing early halibut catches as the season got underway in March.

Halibut dock prices hold at $6.50 to $7 per pound in Homer, $6 to $6.50 per pound in Kodiak, and $6.10 to $6.75 per pound in Southeast Alaska, according to Alaska Fish Factor. Sablefish prices range from $4 to $7 per pound in Homer and $5.30 to $7 per pound in Southeast Alaska. In Kodiak, sablefish prices vary by size from $4 to $6.75 per pound.

Chefs highlight halibut's firm texture for grilling and fish tacos, while sablefish's buttery richness suits pan-searing and sake-miso glazes. Halibut cheeks are noted as a high-value product.

Japan demand continues to drive sablefish markets. Halibut movement has been steady since the March opening.

Top landing ports include Seward, Homer, Kodiak, and Petersburg. The fisheries operate under Individual Fishing Quota management, which allows quota holders to choose when to fish within the season. Recreational fishers, charter operators, and commercial IFQ holders participate in the fishery, with weather conditions limiting access across all sectors.