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| September 15, 1998 1998 Halibut Landing Report
No. 12
Area 2A Directed Commercial Fishery to Reopen on September 23, 1998
At its September meeting, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC)
decided that the remaining commercial catch limit of 17,800 pounds, which was allocated to
the incidental halibut catch fishery during the salmon troll season starting August 1,
would now be made available to the directed fishery for another fishing period. The
decision to reopen the directed fishery will not affect the incidental commercial catch
fishery during the salmon troll season at this time, it remains open until further notice.
The IPHC had previously announced on September 4 that the directed fishery was closed for
the remainder of 1998. The change reflects the PFMC’s original intent to roll the
entire non-treaty commercial catch limit into the directed commercial fishery catch limit
after June 30. If catch limit remained after July 31, the intent was also to allow
incidental halibut landings in the salmon troll fishery to continue, without dividing the
commercial catch limit between the incidental and directed fisheries.
The Area 2A directed commercial fishery will reopen on September 23 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
225
265
740
790
950
1,055
1,590 |
200
200
235
650
695
835
930
1,400 |
*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.
Quota Share Commercial Fishery Update
It is estimated that the following catches and numbers of landings were
made in the British Columbia IVQ, and in the Alaskan IFQ/CDQ fisheries through September
13, 1998.
Area |
Catch Limit
(000’s pounds) |
Catch
(000’s pounds) |
Number of
Landings |
2C
3A
3B
4A
4B
4C
4D
4E |
10,500
26,000
11,000
3,500
3,500
1,590
1,590
320 |
7,752
18,526
8,044
2,643
2,409
1,199
1,089
176 |
2,346
2,186
509
187
254
637
97
827 |
Alaska total |
58,000 |
41,838 |
7,043 |
2B |
13,000 |
9,974 |
996 |
Grand Total |
71,000 |
51,812 |
8,039 |
The Alaskan catch represents 72% of the
catch limit. For comparison, from March 15 to September 15, 1997, 41.5 million pounds or
78% of the 1997 catch limit were landed in the Alaskan IFQ and CDQ fisheries. From March
15 to September 15, 1997, 9.6 million pounds or 77% of the catch limit were landed from
Area 2B (British Columbia) compared to 77% in 1998.
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. Nine 48-hour fishing periods occurred between April 17 and September 6, producing
a total catch of 11,587 pounds.
-END-
Bruce M. Leaman, Director
Phone: (206) 634-1838
Fax: (206) 632-2983 |
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