2009 HALIBUT LANDING REPORT NO. 9

Quota Share Commercial Fisheries Update

The 2009 quota share halibut fisheries opened on March 21. It is estimated that the following catches and numbers of landings were made in the Alaskan IFQ and CDQ fisheries and in the British Columbian IVQ fishery through November 1, 2009.

The catch off Alaska represents 94% of the 2009 commercial fishery catch limit. For comparison, 48.3 million pounds, or 96% of the 2008 catch limit, were landed in the Alaskan fishery by this same date in 2008; however, the opening date of the 2008 fishery occurred 13 days earlier in the year than that of the 2009 fishery. Thus, to compare opening periods, during the first 225 days of the 2008 Alaskan commercial halibut fishery, 47.1 million pounds, or 94% of the catch limit, were landed.

The catch from British Columbian waters represents 92% of the 2009 commercial fishery catch limit. For comparison, 7.2 million pounds, or 92% of the 2008 catch limit, had been landed from Area 2B by this same date in 2008. Comparing opening periods, during the first 225 days of the 2008 IVQ fishery, 7.0 million pounds, or 89% of the catch limit, had been landed.

The commercial halibut fisheries close on November 15, 2009 at noon, local time.

Incidental Commercial Halibut Catch in the Area Fixed Gear Sablefish Fishery

The total allowable incidental commercial catch of halibut allocated to the limited entry, fixed gear sablefish fishery which operates in Area 2A north of Point Chehalis, Washington is 11,895 pounds. It is estimated that 5,347 pounds have been landed through October 29. This incidental halibut catch fishery closed on October 31, 2009. For further incidental fishery retention information call the NMFS hotline (1-800-662-9825).

Area 2A Incidental Commercial Halibut Fishery During the Salmon Troll Season

The total allowable incidental commercial catch of halibut allocated to the Area 2A salmon troll fishery is 29,362 pounds. A total of 11,150 pounds of halibut were landed in Washington through the end of August. The salmon troll season closed on September 15 in the state of Washington. Unless otherwise stated, the incidental halibut catch fishery during the salmon troll season is set to close on November 15, 2009.

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