The preliminary catch estimate for the Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt. all-depth sport halibut fishery indicates that 28,300 pounds were caught on Friday, August 6, 1999, exceeding the projected catch of 27,000 pounds by 1,300 pounds. Therefore, sport halibut fishing between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mt. is closed outside the 30-fathom curve for the remainder of the year.

Additionally, the inside 30-fathom sport halibut fishery from the Siuslaw River (Florence north jetty) to Humbug Mt. has exceeded the revised 850 pound quota by 185 pounds and will close for the remainder of the year at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 15, 1999.

Sport halibut fishing remains open inside the 30-fathom curve from Cape Falcon to the Siuslaw River until the revised 3,758 pound quota is attained or September 30, 1999, whichever occurs first. Approximately 1,900 pounds have been harvested through Sunday, August 8, 1999.

It is estimated that the following catches and number of landings were made in the Alaskan IFQ/CDQ, and in the British Columbia (Area 2B) IVQ fisheries through August 12, 1999.

The Alaskan catch represents 66% of the catch limit. For comparison, from March 15 to August 16, 1998, 35.3 million pounds or 61% of the 1998 catch limit were landed in the Alaskan IFQ/CDQ fishery. From March 15 to August 16, 1998, 8.7 million pounds or 67% of the catch limit were landed from Area 2B compared to 72% in 1999.

The Metlakatla Indian community has been authorized by the United States Government to conduct a commercial halibut fishery within the Annette Island Reserve. Six 48-hour fishing periods occurred between May 22 and August 1, producing a total catch of 18,748 pounds. The Metlakatla Indian Community and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will announce future halibut openings.

The Commission will be conducting a chalky halibut study using chartered commercial longliners in Areas 2B and 3A. The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of stunning and/or bleeding on the development of chalkiness in Pacific halibut. Fish will be tagged and chalkiness will be determined after the fish sale during secondary processing into either steaks or fillets. Trips will start in late August and early September, and are expected to fish from 8 to 15 days in each area.