17 May 2021
SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has established the fishing period limits for all licensed vessels for the first (22 to 24 June 2021) fishing period for the non-tribal directed commercial fishery (the fishery) in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A. The overall annual allocation for this fishery for 2021 is 116.17 metric tons (256,122 pounds).
The first fishing period will begin at 08:00 on 22 June and end at 18:00 on 24 June local time. The fishery is restricted to waters south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46°53.30’ N. latitude). A total of 190 fishery licences have been issued for 2021 with the application deadline date having passed on 30 April 2021. The following fishing period limits will be in effect for this fishing period by vessel class:
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 above is a dressed, head-on weight, and stakeholders are reminded that regulations require that all Pacific halibut be landed with the head naturally attached. Additionally, stakeholders are reminded that there is a 72-hour rule, whereby a vessel that will be used in this fishery may not be used to fish for any species of fish anywhere in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A during the 72-hour period immediately prior to this fishing period unless all retained 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 International Pacific Halibut Commission Fishery Regulations 2021, sections 18(7) and 18(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:
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/sustainable-fisheries/west-coast-groundfish-closed-areas. For further information, call the NOAA Fisheries hotline at 1 800-662-9825, then press “7” for the Pacific halibut fisheries.
Following this 2021 fishing period (22 to 24 June), the IPHC may establish and announce fishing period limits for subsequent fishing periods in 2021, dependent upon allocation remaining for the fishery.
IPHC Secretariat
International Pacific Halibut Commission
2320 W. Commodore Way, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98199-1287
206-634-1838 | www.iphc.int
