1996 Halibut Landing Report No. 6

Washington North Coast Sport Fishery to Close.

The preliminary catch estimate for the sport halibut fishery in Washington North Coast waters (west of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line south to the Queets River) indicates that the 71,410 pound catch limit will be reached on July 20. Therefore, the North Coast sport fishery will close at 11:59 on July 20.

Strait of Juan de Fuca-Puget Sound Sport Fishery to Close

Sport fishing for halibut in waters east of the Bonilla-Tatoosh line will close for the year as scheduled on July 27. Post-season accounting of the harvest will be conducted in late summer and early fall.

Oregon All-Depth Sport Fishery to Reopen August 2

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that 37,000 pounds of halibut will remain August 1 at the end of the sport halibut fishery restricted to waters less than 30 fathoms. The all-depth fishery from Cape Falcon (latitude 4546'00'' N.) to the California border will reopen for three days on August 2, 3, and 9. The daily bag limit remains two halibut per person, one with a minimum overall size limit of 32 inches and the second with a minimum overall size limit of 50 inches. The Commission may announce an additional opening after August 9 if sufficient catch limit remains.

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