2 May 2019
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has established fishing period limits for the 26 June 2019 and 10 July 2019 fishing periods for the non-tribal directed commercial fishery (the fishery) in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A. The overall allocation for this fishery for 2019 is 254,426 pounds; 115.41 metric tons.
Note that the IPHC does not intend to establish fishing period limits for the 27 June 2019 fishing period listed in the Pacific Halibut Fishery Regulations (2019), and thus the fishery will not be open that day. The decision not to open on 27 June was informed by the response to a survey of fishery license holders conducted by the IPHC during April 2019.
The 26 June and 10 July fishing periods will each 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). A total of 176 fishery licenses have been issued thus far for 2019, with 14 more applications currently being processed. Fishing period limits as indicated in the following table will be in effect for each of these two fishing periods:
Vessel Class | Fishing period catch limit | |||
Length | Letter | Number of licenses for 2019* | Dressed, head-on with ice/slime (pounds) | Dressed, head-on with ice/slime (metric tons) |
0-25 | A | 16 | 4,525 | 2.05 |
26-30 | B | 11 | 4,525 | 2.05 |
31-35 | C | 18 | 4,525 | 2.05 |
36-40 | D | 36 | 6,820 | 3.09 |
41-45 | E | 29 | 6,820 | 3.09 |
46-50 | F | 31 | 9,090 | 4.12 |
51-55 | G | 10 | 9,090 | 4.12 |
56+ | H | 25 | 10,225 | 4.64 |
* As of 2 May 2019. Note there are 14 license applications still to be processed.
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.
The fishing period 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-tribal directed commercial fishing period unless all catch of other species has been completely offloaded or the vessel has submitted to a hold inspection by an authorized officer prior to the start of the fishing period (see Pacific Halibut Fishery Regulations 2019, sections 20(7) and 20(8)).
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, please refer to their webpage: 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.
Following the 10 July 2019 fishing period, the IPHC may establish and announce fishing period limits for subsequent fishing periods in 2019, dependent upon allocation remaining for the fishery.
ONGOING SUBSCRIPTION TO IPHC NEWS RELEASES
Dear Reader: The IPHC is moving towards fully electronic information distribution. As such, if you would like to continue to receive IPHC news in the future, please click the following link to subscribe to electronic communications: https://www.iphc.int/form/news-letter. Hard copies of news releases and other bulletins will cease in 2019.
– END –
David T. Wilson, Ph.D.
Executive Director, IPHC
Phone: (206) 634-1838
Fax: (206) 632-2983
Web: www.iphc.int
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