July 10, 1998

1998 Halibut Landing Report No. 6

Washington South Coast Sport Halibut Fishery Closed

Preliminary estimates through June 28 and projections through July 2 for the Washington South Coast sport halibut fishery (Queets River to Leadbetter Point) indicated a projected catch of approximately 36,000 pounds. This projection exceeded the catch quota of 35,648 pounds for the all-depth fishery, which was closed at 11.59 p.m. on July 3, 1998. An inshore fishery remained open in waters south of the Queets River, north of 47° 00’00" North latitude, and east of 124° 40’00" West longitude, until it reached the total area quota of 36,648 pounds. Updated data on July 6 showed an estimated catch of 36,946 pounds through July 2, which exceeds the area total quota. Therefore, the South Coast inshore sport fishery closed at 11:59 p.m. on July 9 and the entire area will remain closed for 1998.

Oregon All-Depth Sport Halibut Fishery to Re-Open August 7

The Oregon All-Depth sport halibut fishery from Cape Falcon to the California border will open for three days on Friday August 7, Saturday August 8, and Friday August 14. Approximately 69,000 pounds remain for harvest. Fishing for halibut is presently open seven days per week inside the 30-fathom curve between Cape Falcon and the California border. The inside fishery will remain open until the total Oregon quota for the area south of Cape Falcon has been met or until September 30, whichever is earlier. The daily limit is the same as the possession limit, which is one fish at a minimum of 32 inches and one fish at a minimum of 50 inches.