IPHC News Release 2017-19 Area 2A 26 July Period Limits

18 July 2017

The 28 June 2017 and 12 July 2017 non-treaty directed commercial fishing periods in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A resulted in an estimated combined catch of 160,000 pounds of Pacific halibut, leaving an estimated 65,500 pounds from the harvest allocation. Therefore, the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has determined that this fishery will remain open and fishing period limits will be required during the 26 July 2017 10-hour fishing period to avoid exceeding the 225,591 pound (net weight) catch limit. The 26 July 2017 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 Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 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 limit applies to the vessel, not the individual fisher, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to forfeiture and fine.

Fishers are reminded that regulations require that all Pacific halibut from IPHC Regulatory Area 2A be landed with the head on. Additionally, fishers are reminded that there is a 72-hour rule, whereby a vessel that will be used in the non-Treaty directed 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 directed commercial 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 2017, sections 19(7)(a)(b) and 19(8)(a)(b)).

NMFS 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 NMFS hotline at 1 800-662-9825, then press “7” for the Pacific halibut fisheries.

Due to the short notice, this notification is posted to our website only, and no paper copy has been mailed.

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IPHC-2017-NR019.pdf

Area 2A 26 July Period Limits

19

2017

18 July 2017