March 16, 1998

IPHC REQUESTS SEABIRD INFORMATION DURING HALIBUT FISHING

The U.S National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are consulting on the effects of the Pacific halibut fishery on the endangered short-tailed albatross, as required by the Endangered Species Act. Federal agencies are required to monitor the take that occurs during the fishery. The IPHC staff has agreed to work with NMFS and FWS to monitor sightings of short-tailed albatross and incidental catch of seabirds by Pacific halibut fishermen during 1998. In the absence of an observer program for the halibut fishery, information gathered by the IPHC port samplers would be the best available information.

IPHC port samplers will interview fishermen for information on seabirds. Halibut fishermen are requested to maintain records of observations and incidental catch to help ensure completeness and accuracy. IPHC port samplers will ask for the following information: date and location of short-tailed albatross catch; observations of short-tailed albatross, including date and location; and number, dates, and location of other birds by major groups (albatrosses, fulmars, shearwaters, and others) caught during halibut fishing. The IPHC will keep all individual seabird reports confidential. The FWS also requests that fishermen record behavior, identifying characteristics, and any other information when they see short-tailed albatross. The information may be sent to the FWS in envelopes available from the IPHC port samplers, or fishermen may contact Greg Balogh of the FWS at 800-272-4174, FAX 907-271-2786.

NMFS has published regulations requiring seabird avoidance measures in the Pacific halibut fishery off Alaska, effective April 6, 1998. All hook-and-line fishing operations must use hooks that, when baited, sink as soon as they are put in the water. If offal is discharged while gear is being set or hauled, it must be discharged in a manner that distracts seabirds from baited hooks.

All vessels greater than or equal to 26 ft (7.9 m) LOA and using hook-and-line gear must employ one or more of the following seabird avoidance measures: set gear during hours of darkness; tow a streamer line or lines, buoy, board, or other device to prevent birds from taking hooks; or deploy hooks underwater through a lining tube.

To obtain information about these regulations, consult the Federal Register publication (March 6, 1998, 63 FR 11161), or contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division, NMFS, 907-586-7228.

  IPHC CHALKY FISH SURVEYS

At the request of the Processor Advisory Group (PAG), the IPHC staff will continue to investigate chalky halibut during the 1998 fishing season. A mailing will go out to all processors, media, and fishermen's organizations requesting participation during 1998. While input is needed from all areas, a special effort will be made to get greater survey coverage in Area 2A than was achieved during the 1997 season.

  -END-