Incidental Commercial Halibut Catch in the Area 2A Salmon Troll Fishery

The total allowable incidental commercial catch of halibut allocated to the Area 2A salmon troll fishery was 24,464 pounds. The retention of halibut in the salmon troll fishery closed as scheduled June 30 with an estimated halibut catch of 20,500 pounds. The remaining catch of 3,964 pounds will be rolled into the directed commercial catch limit, as required by the Catch Sharing Plan adopted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council.

The July 5 commercial fishing period in Area 2A resulted in a catch of about 120,000 pounds, leaving 18,632 pounds in the commercial catch limit. The total commercial catch limit remaining, including the rolled-over amount from the salmon troll fishery, is 22,596 pounds.

Area 2A will reopen on July 19 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^o53’18"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.

*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 halibut 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.

A preliminary estimate of the catch through July 4 by the Washington North Coast sport halibut fishery (Sekiu River to the Queets River) indicates that the catch limit of 99,774 pounds has been reached. Therefore, the Washington North Coast sport halibut fishery is closed for the remainder of the year.