Halibut catch. (Photo Credit: NOAA)
2014 halibut fishing season guided by catch sharing plan
(UNITED STATES, 12/12/2013)
A halibut catch sharing plan is being implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA) for the 2014 commercial and recreational halibut fishing season.
This plan was recommended by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council for it to replace the guideline harvest level with a clear allocation between the commercial and charter sectors in Southeast Alaska and the Central Gulf of Alaska.
"This catch sharing plan was developed through the collaborative effort and hard work of many people over several years and, despite some challenges, we are pleased to be able to meet the Council's request for implementation in 2014," said Dr. Jim Balsiger, regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region and a member of the Council.
Balsiger stressed this plan provides precision as to catch limits, which will be determined by the International Pacific Halibut Commission each year prior to the fishing season, as well as flexibility and stability in the charter harvest taking into account halibut exploitable biomass and fishing effort.
The flexibility of the plan is reflected in the "guided angler fish" programme, which makes it possible to transfer commercial halibut individual fishing quota to charter halibut permit holders and offers the opportunity to charter anglers to land halibut up to the limit in place for unguided anglers.
According to Alaska Journal of Commerce, the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association welcomed the implementation of the plan.
“We hail it as a real win for the resource, a fair balance between different user groups and a way to finally resolve a long standing conflict between sectors,” stressed Linda Behnken, executive director of the association.
From the SouthEast Alaska Guides Organization it has been pointed out that a discussion on the subarea management is necessary so that management measures could better reflect fishery dynamics in different parts of one regulatory area.
The North Pacific council is meeting on 11 December to decide management measures whereas catch limits remain unknown.
The final rule for the plan will be published in the Federal Register on 12 December.
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