West Coast tribes get a guaranteed share of the Pacific whiting catch

The US government is setting aside a specific amount of Pacific whiting for tribal fishing rights and for research. This means tribal fishers will have a guaranteed share of the catch, separate from the commercial fishery.

For years, tribal fishing rights have been negotiated within the broader commercial fishing quotas, often leading to disputes. This proposed rule carves out a specific, guaranteed allocation for tribes, which means they no longer have to compete directly with commercial fleets for their share. It also sets aside fish for research, which helps manage the overall health of the fishery.