December 3, 2004

2004 HALIBUT LANDING REPORT NO. 13

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 to the end of the commercial halibut fishing season, which closed on November 15.

The Alaskan catch represents 96% of the 2004 catch limit.  By the end of the 2003 season, 59.5 million pounds, or 96% of the 2003 catch limit, were landed in the Alaskan fishery. 

The British Columbia catch represents 96% of the 2004 catch limit. By the end of the 2003 season, 11.7 million pounds, or 99% of the 2003 catch limit, were landed from Area 2B (British Columbia).

Please note that 409,000 pounds were transferred from the 2B sport fishery allocation to the commercial fishery catch limit.

Annette Islands 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 fourteenth 48-hour fishing period during 2004 occurred between October 15 and October 17.  No vessels participated during this opening.  After fourteen openings, a grand total of 89,522 pounds were landed.

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 67,837 pounds were landed during this fishery, which closed on October 31.

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