IPHC Regulatory Area 2C, 3 & 4

Around Annette Island in southeast Alaska, an exclusive fishing reserve extending 3,000 feet (914 m) out from the shoreline was created for the Metlakatla tribal fishery. The Bureau of Indian Affairs approved the fishery in 1990, initially on a test basis. Each season length is restricted to 48 hours. No total catch limit exists, but catch totals are included in the IPHC Regulatory Area 2C total. Only tribal fishers may commercially fish within the boundary, and specific regulations beyond those established by the IPHC, have been enacted by the tribal council. The IPHC does not exercise jurisdiction over the seasons and total catch because the fishery is executed internally, but the vessels do submit catch and log information to the IPHC for stock assessment purposes. If the IPHC Regulatory Area 2C fishery closed for any reason, the Metlakatla fishery would close as well. In 1996, the Metlakatla Indian fishery catch peaked at over 126,000 pounds (57 t), though in recent years, catches have been on the order of 50,000 pounds (30 t) a year.

Native groups in Alaska also have subsistence fisheries. The Alaskan fishery falls under the general subsistence framework managed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).  Fishers must obtain a Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC) from NMFS before fishing under the subsistence Pacific halibut regulations.