IPHC-2018-NR-011 Non-Treaty Directed Commercial Fishery: Fishing Period Limits in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A for 27 June 2018 Fishing Period

14 May 2018

IPHC NEWS RELEASE 2018-011

NON-TREATY DIRECTED COMMERCIAL FISHERY:

FISHING PERIOD LIMITS IN

IPHC REGULATORY AREA 2A FOR 27 JUNE 2018 FISHING PERIOD

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has determined the following catch limits shall apply for the 27 June 2018, 10-hour non-treaty directed commercial fishery (the fishery) in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A. The overall catch limit for this fishery is 201,845 pounds; 91.56 metric tons.

Vessel Class		Fishing period catch limit
Length	Letter	Dressed, head-on with ice/slime (pounds)	Dressed, head-on with ice/slime (metric tons)
0-25	A	860	0.39
26-30	B	1,075	0.49
31-35	C	1,715	0.78
36-40	D	4,735	2.15
41-45	E	5,090	2.31
46-50	F	6,095	2.76
51-55	G	6,800	3.08
56+	H	10,225	4.64

The 27 June 2018 fishing period will begin at 08:00 hrs and end at 18:00 hrs Pacific Daylight Time. The fishery is restricted to waters south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46°53.30’ N. latitude) under regulations promulgated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries. Fishing period limits as indicated in the following table will be in effect for this opening.

The appropriate vessel length class and letter are printed on each vessel license. The fishing period catch limit applies to the vessel, not the individual fisher, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to forfeiture and fine.

The fishing period catch limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-on weight, and fishers are reminded that regulations require that all Pacific halibut be landed with the head naturally attached. Additionally, fishers are reminded that there is a 72-hour rule, whereby a vessel that will be used in the fishery may not be used to fish for any species of fish anywhere in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A during the 72-hour period immediately before the non-Treaty directed commercial fishery fishing period unless all catch of other species has been completely offloaded or the vessel submits to a hold inspection by an authorized officer prior to the start of the fishing period (see IPHC Pacific Halibut Fishery Regulations 2018, sections 20(7)(a)(b) and 20(8)(a)(b)).

NOAA Fisheries has implemented mandatory area closures that are in effect for the directed Pacific halibut fishery to protect specific rockfish species.  For the exact coordinates of the closed areas, go to the following web page:

http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/management/groundfish_closures/groundfish_closed_areas.html. For further information, call the NOAA Fisheries hotline at 1‑800-662-9825, then press “7” for the Pacific halibut fisheries.

– END –

David T. Wilson, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Phone: (206) 634-1838
Fax:     (206) 632-2983
Web:  www.iphc.int