April 17, 2000

It is estimated that the following catches and numbers of landings were made in the British Columbia IVQ and in the Alaskan IFQ fishery through April 14, 2000. No Community Development Quota (CDQ) landings have been made. (NA is not available)

The Alaskan catch represents 9% of the catch limit. For comparison, from March 15 to April 13, 1999, 6.8 million pounds or 11% of the 1999 catch limit were landed in the Alaskan IFQ fishery. From March 15 to April 13, 1999, 2.0 million pounds or 17% of the catch limit were landed from Area 2B (British Columbia) compared to 22% in 2000.

In 2000, the Northwest treaty Indian tribes were allocated a total allowable catch of 315,500 pounds in subarea 2A-1 (northern Washington coast); 10,500 pounds are reserved for ceremonial and subsistence purposes, leaving 305,000 pounds for the treaty Indian commercial fishery. Two unrestricted openings have occurred for a total catch of 189,400 pounds. The openings were on March 15 for 48 hours and on March 30 for 24 hours with total catches of 43,800 and 145,600 pounds, respectively. The restricted fishery was limited to 500 pounds per trip and closed on April 15. It is estimated that approximately 50,000 pounds remains in the treaty Indian commercial catch limit.

The Metlakatla Indian community has been authorized by the United States Government to conduct a commercial halibut fishery within the Annette Island Reserve. This fishery will probably open late April.

The International Pacific Halibut Commission has received the Year 2000 Group Award of Merit from the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists. This award has been bestowed only ten times in the 44-year history of the Institute. Dr. Gary Sakagawa, the national president of the Institute, made the presentation to the Commission during a ceremony held at the University of Washington School of Fisheries on March 30th, 2000. He praised the Commission for its sustained record of scientific excellence and its commitment to sound resource management. In accepting the award on behalf of the Commission, Dr. Leaman noted that the award was particularly valued because it recognized the contribution made by both present and past employees of the Commission.