The preliminary catch estimate for the 1997 sport halibut fishery between the Florence North Jetty, (Siuslaw River, latitude 44° 01’08"N.) and the California border (latitude 42° 00’00"N.) indicates the 8,077 pound catch limit will be reached on May 17, Therefore, the sport halibut fishery in this area will close at 11:59 p.m. on May 17.

Sport fishing for Pacific halibut will re-open on May 18 and remain open through July 31, seven days a week, only in the area inside the 30-fathom curve nearest to the coastline as plotted on National Ocean Service charts numbered 18520, 18580, and 18600 from the Florence North Jetty (Siuslaw River) the California border, or until 2,019 pounds are estimated to have been taken (except that any poundage remaining after the earlier season will be added to this season) and the season is closed by the Commission whichever occurs first. 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.

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