IPHC News Release 2017-16 Pacific Halibut Landing Report No. 3

29 June 2017

Quota Share Commerical Fisheries Update

The 2017 quota share Pacific halibut fisheries opened on 11 March 2017. It is estimated that the following commercial landings, in pounds and numbers, were made in the Alaskan IFQ and CDQ fisheries through 27 June 2017 and in the British Columbian IVQ fishery through 25 June 2017.

IPHC Regulatory Area	Catch Limit (000s pounds)	Catch (000s pounds)	Number of Landings
2C	4,212	2,690	656
3A	7,739	4,381	779
3B	3,140	1,152	153
4A	1,390	320	38
4B	1,140	405	29
4CDE	1,700	207	144
Alaska Total	19,321	9,155	1,799
2B	6,272	2,638	250
Grand Total	25,593	11,793	2,049

The catch off Alaska represents 47% of Alaska’s 2017 commercial fishery catch limit. For comparison, 9.3 million pounds, or 51% of the 2016 catch limit, were landed in the Alaskan fishery by this same date in 2016.

The catch from British Columbia (Regulatory Area 2B) waters represents 42% of the 2017 commercial fishery catch limit. For comparison, 2.6 million pounds, or 41% of the 2016 catch limit, had been landed from Regulatory Area 2B by this same date in 2016.

IPHC Regulatory Area 2A Commercial Treaty Indian Fisheries

In 2017, the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) allocated 435,900 pounds of Pacific halibut for commercial use to the Treaty Indian tribes of Regulatory Area 2A-1. Preliminary catch estimates indicate that 40,993 pounds of Pacific halibut were landed during a 35-hour restricted fishery opening beginning on 1 May 2017. A total of 305,560 pounds of Pacific halibut have been reported landed thus far in 2017. Mop-up fisheries were scheduled for 19-20 May (Washington coast) and 22-23 May (Puget Sound). Data from the mop-up fishery dates are not yet available.

IPHC Regulatory Area 2A Incidental Commercial Pacific Halibut Fishery During the Salmon Troll Season

The total allowable incidental commercial catch of Pacific halibut allocated to the Regulatory Area 2A salmon troll fishery is 39,810 pounds. Incidental catch of halibut in the salmon troll fishery was allowed beginning 1 April. It is estimated 29,233 pounds of Pacific halibut have been landed through 27 June. Retention of halibut caught incidental to the commercial salmon fishery will continue after June 30, with a change in landing limits. Effective July 1: one Pacific halibut per each four Chinook, except one Pacific halibut may be possessed or landed without meeting the ratio requirement, and no more than 10 Pacific halibut may be possessed or landed per trip. For details on incidental fishery retention information, call the NMFS hotline (1‑800-662-9825 press 7 for Pacific halibut information).

IPHC Regulatory Area 2A Incidental Commercial Pacific Halibut Fishery During the Limited Entry, Fixed-Gear Sablefish Fishery

The total allowable incidental commercial catch of Pacific halibut allocated to the limited entry, fixed-gear sablefish fishery, which operates in Regulatory Area 2A north of Point Chehalis, Washington, is 70,000 pounds. Incidental catch of Pacific halibut in the sablefish fishery was allowed beginning 1 April 2017. Preliminary landing estimates indicate that 3,404 pounds of Pacific halibut have been landed through 26 June. For further incidental fishery retention information, call the NMFS hotline (1-800-662-9825 press 7 for Pacific halibut information).

Annette Islands Reserve Fishery in IPHC Regulatory Area 2C

The Metlakatla Indian Community has been authorized by the United States Government to conduct a commercial Pacific halibut fishery within the Annette Islands Reserve. The following table lists Pacific halibut catch and numbers of participating vessels by fishing period.

Fishing Period Dates	Catch (net pounds)	Number of Vessels
14 – 16 April	2,994	23
05 – 07 May	5,158	12
19 – 21 May	7,914	18
02 – 04 June	5,356	10
16 – 18 June	10,136	15

The total landed weight of Pacific halibut reported to date is 31,558 pounds. The Metlakatla Indian Community and the Bureau of Indian Affairs will announce future Pacific halibut openings.

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