August 21, 2002

It is estimated that the following catches and numbers of landings were made in the British Columbia IVQ fishery through August 14, 2002 and in the Alaskan IFQ and CDQ fisheries through August 15, 2002.

The Alaskan catch represents 73% of the catch limit. For comparison, from March 15 to August 14, 2001, 40.6 million pounds or 66% of the 2001 catch limit were landed in the Alaskan IFQ/CDQ fisheries. From March 15 to August 14, 2001, 6.3 million pounds or 60% of the 2001 catch limit were landed from Area 2B (British Columbia) compared to 69% in 2002.

Incidental Commercial Halibut Catch in the Area 2A Fixed Gear Sablefish Fishery

The total allowable incidental commercial catch of halibut allocated to the limited entry, fixed gear sablefish fishery which operates in Area 2A north of Point Chehalis, Washington is 88,389 pounds. It is estimated that 28,675 pounds have been landed through August 6. This incidental halibut catch fishery remains open until further notice. For further incidental fishery retention information call the NMFS hotline (1-800-662-9825).

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. Seven 48-hour fishing periods occurred between May 10 and August 4, with a total catch of 27,012 pounds. The Metlakatla Indian Community and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs will announce future halibut openings.

Central Oregon Coast All-Depth Recreational Halibut Fishery To Reopen August 23-24

Preliminary catch estimates for the August 2-3 all-depth recreational halibut fishery between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain on the central Oregon coast indicate that about 38,000 pounds were harvested, leaving about 64,400 pounds available for further harvest. Accordingly, the all-depth recreational fishery will reopen for fishing on August 23-24, 2002. If additional poundage remains after the August 23-24 fishery, the next scheduled dates for the fishery are September 20-21, 2002.

Central Oregon Coast Nearshore Recreational Halibut Fishery Remains Open

Recreational halibut fishing remains open 7 days a week inside the 30-fathom curve between Cape Falcon and Humbug Mountain. Catches through August 4 total just 1,786 pounds, out of a quota of 19,797 pounds. This fishery will remain open until either the quota is reached or September 30, 2002, whichever occurs first.

Washington North Coast Recreational Halibut Fishery Closed for the Remainder of 2002

Preliminary catch estimates for the August 3 recreational fishery in the Washington North Coast sport halibut fishery (Sekiu River to the Queets River) indicates that the overall harvest limit of 108,030 pounds for 2002 has been reached. Therefore, the Washington North Coast sport halibut fishery is closed for the remainder of the year.