July 28, 1998 1998 Halibut Landing Report No. 8
Area 2A Non-treaty Commercial Fishery to Reopen August 12
The July 22 directed commercial fishery in Area 2A resulted in a catch
of 85,000 pounds, leaving approximately 58,000 pounds to be caught from the directed
commercial fishery.
The Area 2A directed commercial fishery will reopen on August 12 for 10
hours from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time. The fishery is restricted to waters that are
south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46° 53’18"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 |
225
260
420
1,160
1,245
1,490
1,665
2,500 |
200
230
370
1,020
1,095
1,310
1,465
2,200 |
*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 are 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.
Incidental Commercial Halibut Catch available for the Salmon Troll
Fishery Starting
August 1.
The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) allocated 25,344 pounds
of halibut for incidental catch in the salmon troll fishery. A total of 7,100 pounds of
halibut was taken during the May and June salmon troll fishery. The remaining incidental
troll catch limit of 18,244 pounds that "rolled" into the directed commercial
catch limit on July 1 was not taken during the July 22 directed commercial fishery.
Therefore, as required by the Catch Sharing Plan adopted by the PFMC, the 18,244 pounds of
halibut catch limit will be "rolled" back and will be available to be taken as
incidental halibut catch during the salmon troll fishery starting August 1. For further
incidental fishery retention information call the NMFS hotline (1-800-662-9825).
Washington North Coast Sport Halibut Fishery to Close
Preliminary estimates through July 16 and projections through July 25
for the Washington North Coast sport halibut fishery (Bonilla-Tatoosh Line to the Queets
River) indicate a projected catch of approximately 95,500 pounds. The projected catch will
be about 500 pounds below the 96,052 quota for the area. Insufficient halibut remains for
further fishing. Therefore, the Washington North Coast sport halibut fishery closed for
the season at 12:01 a.m. on July 25, 1998.
Washington Puget Sound Sport Halibut Fishery to Close
The Washington Puget Sound sport halibut fishery will close as scheduled by regulation
on August 3, 1998 at 11:59 p.m.
Chalky Halibut
The IPHC is continuing an investigation into the occurrence of chalky
halibut during 1998. Information packets were sent out at the start of the fishing season
to processors, media, and fishermen’s groups. So far this year, the few reports of
chalky halibut have totaled less than 4,000 pounds. We encourage the industry to
participate in the study and file reports of chalky halibut occurrences. We will send out
a last questionnaire at the end of the fishing season. Questions may be directed to the
IPHC office in Seattle or to the IPHC port samplers.
-END-
Bruce M. Leaman, Director
Phone: (206) 634-1838
Fax: (206) 632-2983
