25 May 2017

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is seeking commercial longline and research vessels to conduct monthly Pacific halibut collection charters from July 2017 through May 2018. Collections will be confined to the greater Portlock Bank region, bounded between the following points: (58°03’N, 152°44’W), (58°55’N, 151°58’W), (57°45’N, 148°41’W), and (56°59’N, 150°04’W) in the Gulf of Alaska. Fishing is to occur between the 1st and 15th of each month. The objective of the monthly charters will be to obtain reproductive samples (ovaries, testes, blood, ultrasound imagery, weights) from a total target number of 100 Pacific halibut (up to 50 males (>70cm), up to 50 females (>90 cm). The vessel must be capable of taking up to two (2) IPHC field biologists for the data and sample collections. Vessel crew may set as much gear as they feel is necessary to achieve the sampling targets; however, once the targets are met, all remaining gear must be hauled and all fish released with minimal injury. It is expected that during most months the targets likely can be obtained in 2-3 fishing days. IPHC will bear bait and ice costs; fuel costs will be borne by the vessel. Unless combined with quota fishing, some Pacific halibut will be retained and sold by IPHC, and limited retention of Pacific cod and rockfish bycatch may be allowed.

The main purpose of this study is to document and describe temporal changes (changes over time) in gonadal (sex organs) morphological characteristics as well as the levels of reproductive hormones and physiological condition throughout an entire annual reproductive cycle in order to improve and update our estimation of maturity in this species. Understanding the reproductive biology of Pacific halibut is important for estimating the reproductive potential and spawning biomass of the stock and, consequently, for optimizing the management of the species.

Charter specifications and bid tender forms are available from IPHC via mail and on our website (www.iphc.int). The IPHC will consider only those vessels and captains having a history of commercial longline fishing. Vessels must have accommodations for two IPHC employees (including women) in addition to an experienced captain and crew, capable of fishing 25 or more skates per day and handling halibut in adverse weather conditions. The IPHC will evaluate vessels based upon the experience of the captain and crew with longline fishing, winter fishing experience, the safety features of the vessel, and charter costs. Vessels must have a bait shed or a sheltered space for sample collection and data recording and to protect personnel from weather. The vessels will provide setline gear and all associated equipment normally required for commercial halibut fishing. The IPHC will replace all fishing gear lost in the course of being put into the sea for fishing.

The IPHC is not restricted as to the nationality of vessels it charters in any region, and will contract according to its own best interests. The lowest or any bid will not necessarily be accepted. Interested owners can contact IPHC for more information on charter specifications and to obtain tender forms. Sealed tenders must be received at the IPHC office in Seattle no later than 12:00 noon (Pacific Daylight Time) on Monday, 12 June 2017. Interested parties should contact Josep Planas (ext. 7687), Timothy Loher (ext. 7674), or Claude Dykstra (ext. 7662) at (206) 634-1838 for further information.

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5 September 2017

Sport Fisheries: IPHC Regulatory Area 2B (Canada) Closure

Closed: IPHC Regulatory Area 2B (Canada) Pacific halibut sport fishery – The IPHC Regulatory Area 2B Pacific halibut sport fishery for 2017 is estimated to have harvested the allowed catch limit of 1,118,029 pounds by early September. As a result, the IPHC Regulatory Area 2B Pacific halibut sport fishery will close at the end of the day (23:59 PDT) Wednesday, 6 September 2017. This fishery will then be closed for the remainder of 2017.

An experimental licence program is available that provides an opportunity for recreational harvesters to retain Pacific halibut beyond this closure date under the British Columbia Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence by acquiring Pacific halibut quota from the commercial fishery.

More information is available on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) website:

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/commercial/ground-fond/halibut-fletan/2015/presentation-en.html .

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

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23 June 2017

Closed: Washington sport Pacific halibut fisheries – The preliminary catch estimate for all Washington (WDFW Marine Areas 1-10) sport Pacific halibut fishery openings through 17 June 2017 is 235,073 pounds, leaving an estimated 8,594 pounds from the harvest allocation. This amount is not sufficient to sustain further openings this season. Thus, all Washington sport fisheries for Pacific halibut are now closed for the remainder of 2017.

Closed: Columbia River (WDFW Marine Area 1, ODFW Columbia River Sub-area) all-depth and nearshore Pacific halibut sport fisheries – The combined Washington and Oregon preliminary catch estimates from the Columbia River total 14,014 pounds, resulting in an area overage of 681 pounds. As a result the Columbia River all-depth and nearshore Pacific halibut sport fisheries will close at the end of the day Friday, 23 June 2017. These fisheries will then be closed for the remainder of 2017.

Season extension: Oregon’s Central Coast subarea all depth sport Pacific halibut fishery – The preliminary catch estimate for Oregon’s Central Coast subarea all depth sport Pacific halibut fishery through 17 June is 116,049 pounds, leaving an estimated 35,663 pounds to be harvested. Fishery managers anticipate this will sustain three (3) more days of fishing, thus the Oregon Central Coast subarea will reopen for 29 June through 1 July 2017. State fishery managers will then review the catch and announce if sufficient quota remains for future openings.

For more information on these updates please refer to:

Washington: Department of Fish and Wildlife website:
https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=2000

Oregon: Department of Fish and Wildlife website:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/finfish/halibut/index.asp

In all marine areas open to Pacific halibut fishing in Washington, Oregon, and California, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction.

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

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WASHINGTON AND OREGON COAST SPORT FISHERIES UPDATE: COLUMBIA RIVER ALL-DEPTH CLOSURE AND WASHINGTON NORTH COAST AND PUGET SOUND FURTHER SEASON EXTENSION

COLUMBIA RIVER (WDFW MARINE AREA 1, ODFW COLUMBIA RIVER SUBAREA) ALL-DEPTH SPORT FISHERY CLOSING

The preliminary catch for the Columbia River all-depth sport Pacific halibut fishery as of 23 May 2017 was estimated to be 10,586 pounds, leaving 1,713 pounds to be harvested (with Oregon catch numbers for the week of 18-21 May 2017 still to come). Insufficient quota remains for a full four days. Therefore, the Columbia River (WDFW Marine Area 1, ODFW Columbia River Subarea) all-depth sport Pacific halibut fishery will close at the end of the day Thursday, 25 May 2017. Any quota overage or underage from the all-depth fishery will be applied to the Columbia River nearshore fishery. The nearshore fishery continues to be open from Monday to Wednesday each week.

WDFW MARINE AREA 2 (WESTPORT-OCEAN SHORES): PRIMARY AND NEARSHORE SPORT FISHERY CLOSED

In the WDFW Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores) all-depth primary fishery, WDFW estimates that 53,905 pounds were landed through 21 May 2017, resulting in an estimated overage of 5,598 pounds. As a result, there will be no nearshore sport Pacific halibut fishery, and the area will remain closed for the remainder of 2017.

WDFW MARINE AREA 3 (LA PUSH), MARINE AREA 4 (NEAH BAY): 1 JUNE 2017

The preliminary catch for the Washington North Coast primary sport Pacific halibut fishery in WDFW Marine Areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) through 23 May 2017 was estimated to be 65,763 pounds, leaving 49,836 pounds to be harvested. Fishery managers anticipate this will sustain one more day of fishing, thus the Washington North Coast (WDFW Marine Areas 3 and 4) sport Pacific halibut fishery will reopen for one day on Thursday, 1 June 2017. This is in addition to the opener of 25 May 2017. State fishery managers will then review the catch and announce if sufficient quota remains for future openings.

WDFW MARINE AREAS 5-10 (PUGET SOUND): 1 JUNE 2017

The preliminary catch estimate in WDFW Marine Areas 5-10 (Puget Sound) through 23 May 2017 was estimated to be 40,964 pounds, leaving 23,998 pounds to be harvested. Fishery managers anticipate this will sustain one more day of fishing, thus the Puget Sound (WDFW Marine Areas 5-10) sport Pacific halibut fishery will reopen for one day on Thursday, 1 June 2017. This is in addition to the opener of 25 May 2017. State fishery managers will then review the catch and announce if sufficient quota remains for future openings.

For more information on these updates please refer to:

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website:
https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1978

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife website:
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2017/05_may/052417d.asp

In all marine areas open to Pacific halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction.

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

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17 May 2017

WASHINGTON COAST SPORT FISHERIES UPDATE: FURTHER SEASON EXTENSION

WASHINGTON SPORT FISHERIES TO REOPEN

WDFW Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores): 21 May 2017
In the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores) all-depth primary fishery, WDFW estimates that 37,686 pounds were landed during the first three May 2017 openings, leaving an estimated 10,621 pounds available for potential harvest from the quota allocation. Fishery managers anticipate this will sustain one more day of fishing, thus the Washington South Coast (WDFW Marine Area 2) primary sport fishery will reopen for one day on Sunday, 21 May 2017.

WDFW Marine Area 3 (La Push), Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay): 21 & 25 May 2017
The preliminary catch estimate by WDFW for the Washington North Coast primary sport Pacific halibut fishery in WDFW Marine Areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) during the first three May 2017 openings was estimated at 52,448 pounds, leaving an estimated 63,151 pounds available for potential harvest. Fishery managers anticipate this will sustain two more days of fishing thus the Washington North Coast (WDFW Marine Areas 3 and 4) sport fishery will reopen for on Sunday, 21 May 2017, and Thursday, 25 May 2017.

WDFW Marine Areas 5-10 (Puget Sound): 21 & 25 May 2017
The preliminary catch estimate in WDFW Marine Areas 5-10 (Puget Sound) during the first three May 2017 openings was estimated at 31,323 pounds, leaving an estimated 33,639 for potential harvest. Fishery managers anticipate this will sustain two more days of fishing thus the Puget Sound (WDFW Marine Areas 5-10) sport fishery will reopen for on Sunday, 21 May 2017, and Thursday, 25 May 2017.

Subsequent to these openings, fishery managers will review the catch and announce if sufficient quota remains for further openings.

WDFW Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco): No change
The recreational Pacific halibut fishery remains open in WDFW Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) Thursdays through Sundays at all depths, and Mondays through Wednesdays in the nearshore area.

For more information, refer to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website: https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1972

In all marine areas open to Pacific halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction.

Due to the short notice nature of this notification, it is posted to the IPHC website only, and no paper copy will be mailed out.

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6 June 2017

WDFW Marine Area 3 (La Push), Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay): 10 June 2017

The preliminary catch for the Washington North Coast primary sport Pacific halibut fishery in WDFW Marine Areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) through 4 June 2017 was estimated to be 81,755 pounds, leaving 33,844 pounds to be harvested. Fishery managers anticipate this will sustain one more day of fishing, thus the Washington North Coast (WDFW Marine Areas 3 and 4) sport Pacific halibut fishery will reopen for one day on Saturday, 10 June 2017. State fishery managers will then review the catch and announce if sufficient quota remains for additional openings. The next potential fishing day would be Saturday, 17 June 2017.

WDFW Marine Areas 5-10 (Puget Sound): 10 June 2017

The preliminary catch estimate in WDFW Marine Areas 5-10 (Puget Sound) through 4 June 2017 was estimated to be 51,505 pounds, leaving 13,457 pounds to be harvested. Fishery managers anticipate this will sustain one more day of fishing, thus the Puget Sound (WDFW Marine Areas 5-10) sport Pacific halibut fishery will reopen for one day on Saturday, 10 June 2017. State fishery managers will then review the catch and announce if sufficient quota remains for additional openings. The next potential fishing day would be Saturday, 17 June 2017.

Columbia River (WDFW Marine Area 1, ODFW Columbia River Subarea) Nearshore Sport Fishery

The preliminary poundage remaining for the Columbia River nearshore sport Pacific halibut fishery as of 4 June 2017 was estimated to be 1,511 pounds, including the carryover of 1,011 pounds from the Columbia River all-depth fishery. Therefore, the Columbia River (WDFW Marine Area 1, ODFW Columbia River Subarea) nearshore sport Pacific halibut fishery extends its opening on Thursday, 8 June 2017. From this date, the nearshore fishery allows Pacific halibut retention with bottomfish on board in the Columbia River nearshore sport fishery seven days a week until further notice.

For more information on these updates please refer to:

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website:
https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1985

In all marine areas open to Pacific halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction.

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

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1 June 2017

WDFW Marine Area 3 (La Push), Marine Area 4 (Neah Bay): 4 June 2017

The preliminary catch for the Washington North Coast primary sport Pacific halibut fishery in WDFW Marine Areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) through 25 May 2017 was estimated to be 68,392 pounds, leaving 47,207 pounds to be harvested. Fishery managers anticipate this will sustain one more day of fishing, thus the Washington North Coast (WDFW Marine Areas 3 and 4) sport Pacific halibut fishery will reopen for one day on Sunday, 4 June 2017. This is in addition to the opener of 1 June 2017. State fishery managers will then review the catch and announce if sufficient quota remains for additional openings. The next potential fishing days would be Saturday, 10 June, and/or Saturday, 17 June.

WDFW Marine Areas 5-10 (Puget Sound): 4 June 2017

The preliminary catch estimate in WDFW Marine Areas 5-10 (Puget Sound) through 25 May 2017 was estimated to be 44,753 pounds, leaving 20,209 pounds to be harvested. Fishery managers anticipate this will sustain one more day of fishing, thus the Puget Sound (WDFW Marine Areas 5-10) sport Pacific halibut fishery will reopen for one day on Sunday, 4 June 2017. This is in addition to the opener of 1 June 2017. State fishery managers will then review the catch and announce if sufficient quota remains for additional openings. The next potential fishing days would be Saturday, 10 June, and/or Saturday, 17 June.

For more information on these updates please refer to:

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website:
https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1981

In all marine areas open to Pacific halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction.

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

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12 May 2017

Washington Sport Fisheries to Reopen on 21 May 2017

In the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Marine Area 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores) all-depth primary fishery, WDFW estimates that 27,235 pounds were landed during the 4 May 2017 and 6 May 2017 openings, leaving an estimated 21,072 pounds available for potential harvest from the quota allocation. The preliminary catch estimate by WDFW for the Washington North Coast primary sport Pacific halibut fishery in WDFW Marine Areas 3 (La Push) and 4 (Neah Bay) during 4 May 2017 and 6 May 2017 was estimated at 43,517 pounds, leaving an estimated 72,082 pounds available for potential harvest.  The preliminary catch estimate in WDFW Marine Areas 5-10 (Puget Sound) was 23,764 pounds, leaving an estimated 41,198 for potential harvest.

While preliminary estimates in all these areas for the 11 May 2017 opening have not yet been estimated, fishery managers anticipate remaining pounds will sustain one more day of fishing. Therefore, the Washington South Coast (WDFW Marine Area 2) primary sport fishery, the Washington North Coast (WDFW Marine Areas 3and 4), and Puget Sound (WDFW Marine Areas 5-10) will reopen for one day on Sunday, 21 May 2017.  The WDFW fishery managers will then review the catch and announce if sufficient quota remains for further openings.

The recreational Pacific halibut fishery remains open in WDFW Marine Area 1 (Ilwaco) Thursdays through Sundays at all depths, and Mondays through Wednesdays in the nearshore area.

For more information, refer to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website: https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1969

In all marine areas open to Pacific halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction.

Due to the short notice nature of this notification, it is posted to the IPHC website only, and no paper copy will be mailed out.

14 June 2017

The preliminary catch for all Washington sport Pacific halibut fishery openings through 10 June is 210,644 pounds, leaving an estimated 35,513 pounds to be harvested. Due to lower fishing effort targeting Pacific halibut in recent weeks, sufficient quota remains to open another all depth fishing day in WDFW Marine Areas: 1 (Ilwaco – Columbia River), 2 (Westport-Ocean Shores), 3 (La Push), 4 (Neah Bay), 5-10 (Puget Sound) for one day on Saturday, 17 June 2017. These fisheries will then be closed for the remainder of 2017.

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The Columbia River nearshore area will remain open seven days per week until further notice.

For more information on these updates please refer to:

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website:
https://fortress.wa.gov/dfw/erules/efishrules/erule.jsp?id=1993

In all marine areas open to Pacific halibut fishing, there is a one-fish daily catch limit and no minimum size restriction.

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

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