September 19, 2006

2006 HALIBUT LANDING REPORT NO. 8

Request for regulatory and administrative issue changes in 2007

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) invites the public and industry to submit statements concerning regulatory (season length, clearances in Area 4, logbook reporting requirements, etc) or administrative issues to the IPHC for inclusion at the 2007 IPHC Annual Meeting. Blank submission forms are available through the IPHC office or from the Annual Meeting web page (http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/pubs/annmeet/IPHCAM.htm). All completed submissions that are received (or postmarked) by the deadline of October 31, 2006 will be included at the Annual Meeting. Proposals will be posted on the IPHC homepage (www.iphc.washington.edu) and copies will also be available by mail or fax by calling the IPHC offices (206-634-1838).

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 September 18, 2006 and in the British Columbian IVQ fishery through September 17, 2006.  

The Alaskan catch represents 83% of the 2006 catch limit. For comparison, 49.7 million pounds, or 84% of the 2005 catch limit, had been landed in the Alaskan fishery from February 27 to September 19, 2005.  Comparing catch with the number of days opened, 48.3 million pounds, or 82% of the catch limit, had been delivered after 197 days of the 2005 season.

The British Columbian catch represents 82% of the 2006 catch limit. The catch in Area 2B between February 27 and September 17, 2005 was 9.6 million pounds, or 83% of the 2005 catch limit. Comparing catch with the number of days opened, 9.2 million pounds, or 79% of the catch limit, had been delivered after 196 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 29,157 pounds of halibut were landed in Washington State through September 6 while an additional 2,933 pounds of halibut were landed in Oregon through September 13.  The incidental halibut catch fishery during the salmon troll season remains open until further notice.

Incidental Commercial Halibut Catch in the Area 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 33,968 pounds have been landed through September 1. This incidental halibut catch fishery remains open until further notice. For further incidental fishery retention information call the NMFS hotline (1-800-662-9825).

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.  Through to September 3, 2006, a total of 33,899 pounds of halibut have been landed after seven 48-hour fishing periods. The Metlakatla Indian Community and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will announce future halibut openings.

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