It is estimated that the following catches and numbers of landings were made in the British Columbia IVQ fishery and in the Alaskan IFQ/CDQ fisheries through May 17, 2004.

The Alaskan catch represents 28% of the catch limit. For comparison, from March 1 to May 15, 2003, 18.2 million pounds, or 29% of the 2003 catch limit, were landed in the Alaskan fishery. Comparing British Columbian landings, from March 1 to May 14, 2003, 4.1 million pounds, or 36% of the catch limit, were landed from Area 2B compared to 35% in 2004.

The Metlakatla Indian community has been authorized by the United States Government to conduct a commercial halibut fishery within the Annette Islands Reserve. The first 48-hour fishing period occurred between April 16 and April 18, with a total catch of 3,870 pounds. A second opening occurred between April 30 and May 2, resulting in a total catch of 548 pounds. After two openings, a grand total of 4,418 pounds have been landed. The Metlakatla Indian Community and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will announce future halibut openings.

North Washington Coast Sport Halibut Fishery to Close on May 20

Preliminary estimates through May 16 for the north Washington coast sport halibut fishery (Sekiu River to the Queets River) indicate that the harvest will approach the 91,337 pound early-season quota by May 20. Stronger effort and good weather contributed to this earlier closure than in previous years. Therefore, the north Washington coast sport halibut fishery will close at 11:59 PM on Thursday, May 20, 2004. After the closure, halibut managers will meet to assess the catch and determine if additional fishing time will be allowed. Otherwise, the next scheduled opening for the north Washington coast will begin on June 15, 2004.