|
Quota Share Commercial Fisheries Update
The 2009 quota share halibut fisheries opened
on March 21. It is estimated that the following catches and
numbers of landings were made in the Alaskan IFQ and CDQ
fisheries and in the British Columbian IVQ fishery through
August 31, 2009.
| Area | Catch Limit
(000s pounds) | Catch
(000s pounds) | Number of
Landings
|
|---|
| 2C | 5,020.0 | 3,792 | 1,199
|
|---|
| 3A | 21,700.0 | 16,074 | 1,675
|
|---|
| 3B | 10,900.0 | 7,833 | 506
|
|---|
| 4 | 7,880.0 | 4,933 | 1,909
|
|---|
| Alaska Total | 45,500.0 | 32,632 | 5,289
|
|---|
| 2B | 6,711.6 | 4,412 | 673
|
|---|
| Grand Total | 52,211.6 | 37,044 | 5,962
|
|---|
The catch off Alaska represents 72% of the 2009 commercial
fishery catch limit. For comparison, 38.4 million pounds, or 76%
of the 2008 catch limit, were landed in the Alaskan fishery by
this same date in 2008; however, the opening date of the 2008
fishery occurred 13 days earlier in the year than that of the 2009
fishery. Thus, to compare opening periods, during the first 163
days of the 2008 Alaskan commercial halibut fishery, 35.1 million
pounds, or 70% of the catch limit, were landed.
The catch from British Columbian waters represents 66% of the
2009 commercial fishery catch limit. For comparison, 5.6 million
pounds, or 70% of the 2008 catch limit, had been landed from Area
2B by this same date in 2008. Comparing opening periods, during
the first 163 days of the 2008 IVQ fishery, 5.1 million pounds, or
65% of the catch limit, had been landed.
Area 2A Commercial Tribal Fisheries
In 2009, the Pacific Fishery Management Council allocated
303,500 pounds of halibut for commercial use to the Treaty Indian
tribes of Area 2A-1. It is estimated that 303,406 pounds have been
landed by the Treaty tribes through July 30, the closing date for
the commercial tribal fisheries.
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 11,895
pounds. It is estimated that 3,290 pounds have been landed through
August 20. 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 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 29,362 pounds. A
total of 10,986 pounds of halibut were landed in Washington
through August 10. The incidental halibut catch fishery during the
salmon troll season remains open until further notice.
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 fifth 48-hour opening of
the 2009 season occurred between July 10 and July 12 and resulted
in the landing of 3,240 pounds of halibut. The sixth and seventh
openings, which occurred between July 24 and July 26 and between
August 7 and August 9 respectively, yielded a total catch of 4,911
pounds. After seven openings, a grand total of 20,342 pounds of
halibut has been landed in 2009. The Metlakatla Indian Community
and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will announce future halibut
openings.
- END -
Bruce M. Leaman
Executive Director
Phone: (206) 634-1838
Fax: (206) 632-2983 |
