NOAA Seeks Input on Halibut Catch Share Plan
NOAA is taking comments on a draft catch sharing plan for halibut in southeast Alaska and the central Gulf of Alaska. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council recommended the rule, to prevent overharvest and establish a clear allocation between the commercial and charter sectors.
The charter sector has been managed under a harvest guideline since 2003, which limited the number of fish guided anglers could catch per day, but was ineffective at keeping that fishery within a specific harvest limit.
The proposed catch sharing plan is scheduled to be in place by 2012 and attempts to provide flexibility for both charter and commercial fishermen. Terms include:
• Area catch limits set each season based on best available science.
• Commercial and charter allocation set by the International Pacific Halibut Commission prior to the fishing season.
• Authorized transfers of commercial halibut IFQ to charter halibut permit holders for harvest by guided anglers, which would allow some additional opportunity to catch halibut, up to specified limits.
The 45-day public comment period ends September 6.
Proposed Rule: http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/prules/ ... sfiled.pdf
Submit comments identified by 0648-BA37 to:
Glenn Merrill, Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, Alaska Region, NMFS
• Electronic submissions: http://www.regulations.gov
• Mail: P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668
• Fax: 907-586-7557