July 19, 2005

2005 Halibut Landing Report No. 5

Non-treaty Commercial Fishing Period Limits in Area 2A for the July 27 opening

The July 13 non-treaty commercial fishing period in Area 2A resulted in a catch of about 68,000 pounds, leaving 68,203 pounds in the directed commercial catch limit.

Area 2A will reopen on July 27 for 10 hours from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time. The fishery is restricted to waters that are south of Point Chehalis , Washington (46°53’18” N. latitude) under regulations promulgated by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Fishing period limits as indicated in the following table will be in effect for this opening.  

*Weights are after 2% has been deducted for ice and slime if fish are not washed prior to weighing.

The appropriate vessel length class and letter are printed on each vessel license.

The fishing period limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-off weight as well as dressed, head-on weight, although fishers are reminded that regulations require that all halibut from Area 2A be landed with the head on.

The fishing period limit applies to the vessel, not the individual fisher, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to forfeiture and fine.

In 2005, NMFS implemented mandatory depth-based area closures that are in effect for the directed halibut fishery to protect specific rockfish species. NMFS has mailed information on the closures to license holders.  For further information, call the NMFS hotline at 1-800-662-9825, then press "5" for the halibut fisheries.

Quota Share Commercial Fisheries Update

The quota share halibut fisheries opened on February 27, 2005. It is estimated that the following catches and numbers of landings were made in the Alaskan IFQ/CDQ fisheries and in the British Columbian IVQ fishery through July 18, 2005.

The Alaskan catch represents 56% of the 2005 catch limit. For comparison, from February 29 to July 13, 2004, 33.7 million pounds, or 55% of the 2004 catch limit, were landed in the Alaskan fishery. The British Columbian catch represents 53% of the 2005 catch limit. Between February 29 and July 12, 2004, 6.0 million pounds, or 49% of the catch limit, were landed from Area 2B.

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 fourth 48-hour fishing period of 2005 occurred between June 10 and June 12, with a total catch of 8,400 pounds.  The fifth period occurred between June 24 and June 26, with a total catch of 7,791.  A sixth opening, between July 8 and July 10, yielded a total of 4,978 pounds of halibut.  After six openings, a grand total of 32,608 pounds have been landed in 2005. The Metlakatla Indian Community and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will announce future halibut openings.

Area 2A Incidental Commercial Halibut Fishery During the Salmon Troll Season

The total allowable incidental commercial catch of halibut allocated to the Area 2A salmon troll fishery is 39,918 pounds. Through to the end of June, it is estimated that 7,071 pounds of halibut were landed in Oregon while an estimated 11,840 pounds of halibut were landed in Washington State , for an Area 2A total of 18,911 pounds.  The incidental halibut catch fishery during the salmon troll season remains open until further notice.

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