2003 Halibut Landing Report No. 5

It is estimated that the following catches and numbers of landings were made in the British Columbia IVQ fishery and in the Alaskan IFQ and CDQ fisheries through June 16, 2003.

The Alaskan catch represents 45% of the 2003 catch limit. From March 15 to June 16, 2002, 27.8 million pounds, or 45% of the 2002 catch limit, were landed in the Alaskan fishery. When comparing the actual length of the fishing period, 32.4 million pounds, or 52% of the 2002 catch limit, were landed after fourteen weeks (June 30) in 2002.

The British Columbia catch represents 44% of the 2003 catch limit. From March 15 to June 14, 2002, 5.5 million pounds, or 46% of the catch limit, were landed from Area 2B (British Columbia). Comparing the length of the fishing period, 6.2 million pounds, or 53% of the Area 2B allocation, were landed from Area 2B after fourteen weeks (June 30) in 2002.

The Metlakatla Indian community has been authorized by the United States Government to conduct a commercial halibut fishery within the Annette Islands Reserve. A 48-hour fishing period occurred between June 4 and June 6, with a total catch of 4,123 pounds. After two openings, a total of 6,300 pounds have been landed. The Metlakatla Indian Community and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will announce future halibut openings.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has proposed a modification of the sport halibut season for the Washington South Coast (Queets River to Leadbetter Point) area in Area 2A. WDFW is proposing to extend all fishing in the area to 7 days per week beginning June 27, 2003, contingent on approval by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and publication of the Washington south coast sport halibut fishery inseason action in the Federal Register. Please monitor the NMFS halibut hotline (1-800-662-9825) for changes in the fishing days per week.