December 4, 2006

2006 HALIBUT LANDING REPORT NO. 10

Alaskan and British Columbian Commercial Fisheries closed for 2006

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 during the 2006 commercial halibut season.

¹ Area 4C CDQ and IFQ can be fished in Area 4D
² Area 4D CDQ can be fished in Area 4E

The Alaskan catch represents 98% of the 2006 catch limit. For comparison, 57.2 million pounds, or 97% of the 2005 catch limit, were landed in the Alaskan fishery during 2005.  The British Columbian catch represents 101% of the 2006 catch limit. For comparison, 12.2 million pounds, or 105% of the 2005 catch limit, were landed in the British Columbian fishery during 2005. In both 2005 and 2006, the apparent excess in 2B is due to carryover poundage from the previous year’s fishery, which was not included in the current year’s catch limit.  Alaskan catch limits also do not include carryover poundage.

The quota share fisheries opened on May 5 and closed on November 15.

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 was 41,464 pounds. It is estimated that 33,964 pounds of halibut were landed in Washington and Oregon: 7,500 pounds, or 18%, under the catch limit.  The incidental commercial halibut fishery during the salmon season opened on May 1 and closed on November 15.

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 was 70,000 pounds. It is estimated that 65,000 pounds of halibut were landed from this fishery. The incidental halibut fishery during the limited-entry sablefish season opened May 1 and closed on October 31.

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.  A total of 34,871 pounds of halibut were landed during nine 48-hour fishing periods. The Annette Islands Reserve fishery occurred between June 10 and October 1.  

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