Tag: halibut

Coalition Defends Limits on Trawler Halibut Bycatch
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Coalition Defends Limits on Trawler Halibut Bycatch

A dispute over the amount of halibut allowed as incidental catch by trawlers targeting groundfish in the Bering Sea has prompted the newly-formed Halibut Defense Alliance to intervene in litigation on behalf of the National Marine Fisheries Service. The coalition includes commercial fishermen, charter operators, processors and community organizations that represent halibut-dependent communities across Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, who support the NMFS decision to allow more bycatch when halibut abundance is high and less bycatch when abundance is low. As of early March, the Justice Department was preparing the entire administrative record, with all related documents, to deliver to the federal judge in Anchorage. After that, both sides in the case were to bring their arguments...
IPHC Approves Coastwide Decrease in Halibut Catch, Down 4.57% From 2023
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IPHC Approves Coastwide Decrease in Halibut Catch, Down 4.57% From 2023

The International Pacific Halibut Commission wrapped up its 100th annual meeting in Anchorage on Jan. 26, after lowering by 4.57% from 2023 the overall allowable rate of harvest for commercial fishermen and charter operators. The decision came after extensive discussion, with a number of those participating in the meeting urging deeper cuts. The adopted total constant exploitation yield (TCEY) for regulatory areas of Canada and the United States included: Area 2B (British Columbia) 6.47 million pounds;  Area 2A (Washington, Oregon and California) 1.65 million pounds; Area 2C (Southeast Alaska) 5.79 million pounds; Area 3A (Central Gulf of Alaska) 11.36 million pounds; Area 3B (Western Gulf of Alaska) 3.45 million pounds;  Area 4 (subdivided into 5 areas, 4A through 4E, in the Ber...
Comment Period on Bering Sea Halibut Management Proposal Opens
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Comment Period on Bering Sea Halibut Management Proposal Opens

NOAA Fisheries is seeking comment through Feb. 7 on a plan for abundance-based management of halibut in the Bering Sea. The proposed rule would implement Amendment 123 to the fishery management plan for groundfish within the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands management area for the Amendment 80 trawl sector prohibited species catch limit for Pacific halibut. NOAA Fisheries said in its request for comment that Amendment 123 balances interests of the two largest halibut user groups in the Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands Fishery Management Area. The Amendment 80 sector is a fleet of nearly 20 trawl catcher-processor boats targeting Pacific cod, Pacific Ocean perch, Atka mackerel and rock, yellowfin and flathead sole in the Bering Sea. The action was initiated at the December 2021 meeting of t...
IPHC Meets Virtually Nov. 30-Dec. 1
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IPHC Meets Virtually Nov. 30-Dec. 1

The 98th International Pacific Halibut Commission interim meeting is underway online Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, with all sessions to be webcast and open to the public. Topics up for discussion include fishery monitoring, stock status of Pacific halibut for 2022 and the 2023 harvest decision table, project updates on biological and ecosystem science research activities, a management strategy evaluation and proposals for the 2022-23 process regarding IPHC fishery regulations.    Meeting discussions are expected to begin with an update on actions arising from the 98th session of the IPHC annual meeting, 2022 special sessions and intersessional decisions, plus the IPHC five-year program of integrated research and monitoring, and a report from the 23rd session of the IPHC research advisory board. ...