*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 2006, 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
2006 quota share halibut fisheries opened on March 5, one week
later than the 2005 opening date.
It is estimated that
the following catches and numbers of landings were made in the
Alaskan IFQ and CDQ fisheries through July 16, 2006 and in the
British Columbian IVQ fishery through July 14, 2006.
The
Alaskan catch represents 56% of the 2006 catch limit. For
comparison, from February 27 to July 16, 2005, 32.8 million
pounds, or 55% of the 2005 catch limit, were landed in the
Alaskan fishery. Comparing
the number of days opened, 31.4 million pounds, or 53% of the
catch limit, were delivered after 133 days of the 2005 season.
The
British Columbian catch represents 57% of the 2006 catch limit.
Between February 27 and July 14, 2005, 6.2 million pounds, or
53% of the 2005 catch limit, were landed from Area 2B. Comparing
the number of days opened, 6.0 million pounds, or 51% of the
catch limit, were delivered after 131 days of the 2005 season.
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 41,464 pounds. An
estimated 14,461 pounds of halibut were landed in Washington
State through June 14.
In Oregon, 1,362 pounds of halibut were landed through
June 24. The
incidental halibut catch fishery during the salmon troll season
remains open until further notice.
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 29,074 pounds
have been landed through July 14. This incidental halibut catch
fishery remains open until further notice. For further
incidental fishery retention information call the NMFS hotline
(1-800-662-9825).
Area 2A Sport Halibut Fishery
Puget
Sound and Juan de Fuca Strait Sport Halibut Fishery Updates
The
Puget Sound and Juan de Fuca Strait sport halibut fishery east
of Low Point closed on June 18.
Sport halibut fishing west of Low Point to the Sekiu
River closes on August 5. The combined projected harvest for the
season is 68,607 pounds. Using the results of inseason creel
surveys to estimate the catch per angler-trip in combination
with a post-season telephone survey of marine anglers to
estimate effort, a catch estimate for Puget Sound will be
calculated this fall.
North
Washington Coast Sport Halibut Fishery Closed for Season
Catch
estimates through June 24 for the north Washington coast sport
halibut fishery (Sekiu River to the Queets River) indicate that
the harvest is 105,805 pounds, or 13,439 pounds short of the
119,244 pound catch limit. Insufficient quota remains for a full
day of fishing, so the north Washington coast sport halibut
fishery is closed for the remainder of 2006.
South
Washington Coast Sport Halibut Season Closed as of May 17
Catch estimates through May 17 for the south
Washington coast sport halibut fishery (Queets River to
Leadbetter Point) indicate that the catch limit was exceeded by
4,532 pounds and this fishery is therefore closed.
Columbia River Area To Re-open August 4
The preliminary catch estimate for the
Columbia River sport halibut fishery (Leadbetter Point to Cape
Falcon) through the spring opening is 14,365 pounds. This
leaves a little less than 7,000 pounds available for the summer
opening in August.
All-Depth
Sport Halibut Fishing from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain
Re-opens August 4
The spring all-depth season concluded on July 8 and
exceeded the spring fishery catch limit by 8,417 pounds.
This overage reduces the summer fishery catch limit to
50,074 pounds. The
summer fishery will begin on Friday, August 4. Subsequent
openings will be announced pending evaluation of the catch. The
daily bag limit is one fish and the possession limit is one fish
at sea. There is no
minimum size limit.
Halibut sport fishing continues to be open inside
the 40-fathom curve from Cape Falcon to Humbug Mountain. Only
3,389 pounds have been harvested from a catch limit of 20,345
pounds. This fishery is open seven days a week and the same
length, bag and possession limits as in the all-depth fishery
apply. Details on catch and
regulations for all Oregon sub-areas can be found at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/
Southern
Oregon – California Open through October 31, 2006
The
sport halibut fishery south of Humbug Mountain opened on May 1
and will remain open through October 31, 2006.
This fishery is open seven days a week with a one halibut
bag and possession limit. There
is no minimum size limit. The
projected catch at season’s end is 8,293 pounds.
For further information on Area 2A halibut
fishing call the NMFS hotline (1-800-662-9825).
-
END -
Bruce
M. Leaman
Executive Director
Phone: (206) 634-1838
Fax: (206)
632-2983
Web:
www.iphc.washington.edu
