The International Pacific Halibut Commission anticipates that the catch from the September 5th directed fishery will bring the Area 2A estimated commercial catch close to the catch limit. The remaining commercial catch limit is too small to allow for another directed fishery without exceeding the catch limit. Therefore, the Area 2A non-treaty directed commercial halibut fishery is closed for the remainder of 2001.

If it is determined that there is remaining catch limit that can be rolled into the incidental commercial halibut fishery during the salmon troll season, an announcement will be made by IPHC news release and on the NMFS hotline (1-800-662-9825). This announcement will be made the last week of September after the catch estimate is reviewed.