1997 Halibut Landing Report No. 1

NRELban2.gif (13937 bytes)

May 9, 1997

1997 Halibut Landing Report No. 1

Non-treaty Commercial Fishing Period Limits in Area 2A

The Commission has determined that fishing period limits will be required during the 10-hour, July 8 non-treaty directed commercial fishing period in Area 2A to avoid exceeding the 122,600 pound catch limit. The July 8 fishing period will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. The fishery is restricted to waters that are south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46^o53’18"N. latitude) under regulations promulgated by National Marine Fisheries Service. Fishing period limits as indicated in the following table will be in effect for this opening.

Vessel Class		Fishing Period Limit (pounds)
Length	Letter	dressed, head-on	dressed, head-off*
0-25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 56+	A B C D E F G H	380 475 760 2,100 2,260 2,710 3,020 4,545	335 420 670 1,850 1,990 2,385 2,660 4,000

*Weights are after 2% has been deducted for ice and slime if fish are not washed prior to weighing.

The appropriate vessel length class and letter is printed on each vessel license.

The fishing period limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-off weight as well as dressed, head-on weight, although fishermen are reminded that regulations require that all halibut from Area 2A be landed with the head on.

The fishing period limit applies to the vessel, not the individual fisherman, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to forfeiture and fine.

Northwest Treaty Tribes Fishery in Area 2A

Northwest treaty Indian tribes were allocated a total allowable catch of 245,000 pounds in subarea 2A-1 (northern Washington coast) in 1997. Of this total, 15,000 pounds are reserved for ceremonial and subsistence purposes, leaving 230,000 pounds for the commercial fishery. The commercial catch has been taken and the treaty Indian commercial fishery is closed for 1997.

Area 2B Commercial Fishery Update

Halibut landings from Area 2B total 2.8 million pounds through May 7, 1997 leaving 9.7 million pounds of the catch limit to be caught. The fishery will continue until all IVQs have been filled, or November 15, whichever is earlier. For comparison, from March 15 to May 6, 1996, 3.0 million pounds were landed from the IVQ fishery.

Annette Island Reserve Fishery in Area 2C

The Metlakatla Indian community has been authorized by the United States Government to conduct a commercial halibut fishery within the Annette Island Reserve. One 48-hour fishing period occurred between May 2 - 4, producing a total catch of 3,768 pounds.

Alaskan Commercial Fishery Update

It is estimated that the following catches and number of landings were made in the Alaskan IFQ fishery through May 7, 1997. No Community Development Quota (CDQ) landings have been made.

Area	Catch Limit (000's pounds)	Catch (000's pounds)	Number of Landings
2C	10,000	2,986	757
3A	25,000	5,829	633
3B	9,000	890	82
4A	2,940	56	13
4B	3,480	6	1
4C	1,160	0	0
4D	1,160	0	0
4E	260	0	0
Total	53,000	9,767	1,486

For comparison, from March 15 to May 7, 1996, 7.7 million pounds were landed in the Alaskan IFQ fishery.

- END -

Donald A. McCaughran, Director
(206) 634-1838