August 17, 2004

Area 2A Directed Commercial Halibut Fishery Closed for Remainder of 2004

The International Pacific Halibut Commission estimates that the catch from the August 11 directed fishery will not 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 2004.

Quota Share Commercial Fishery Update

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 August 16, 2004.

The Alaskan catch represents 71% of the catch limit. For comparison, from March 1 to August 18, 2003, 43.6 million pounds, or 70% of the 2003 catch limit, were landed in the Alaskan fishery. Comparing British Columbian landings, from March 1 to August 18, 2003, 7.5 million pounds, or 64% of the catch limit, were landed from Area 2B, compared to 62% in 2004.

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 Islands Reserve. The seventh 48-hour fishing period occurred between July 9 and July 11, with a total catch of 14,747 pounds. An eighth opening occurred between July 23 and July 25, resulting in a total catch of 13,647 pounds. A ninth opening occurred between August 6 and August 8, with a total catch of 6,626 pounds. After nine openings, a grand total of 68,591 pounds have been landed. The Metlakatla Indian Community and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will announce future halibut openings.

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 70,000 pounds. It is estimated that 43,350 pounds had been landed through the end of July. This incidental halibut catch fishery remains open until further notice. For further incidental fishery retention information call the NMFS hotline (1-800-662-9825).