Alaska Halibut Fishing
Subsistence Halibut Fishing in Alaska
Regulations to implement subsistence halibut fishing were published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2003 and became effective May 15, 2003. To participate in this fishery, you must hold a Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC). ... Before fishing under the subsistence halibut regulations , fishermen must obtain a Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC). April 2005 regulations also provide for issuance of Community Harvest, Ceremonial and Educational Permits to qualified Alaska communities and Alaska Native Tribes. To qualify, a permit holder must comply with the existing SHARC registration and reporting processes. ... [Read More]
NOAA Fisheries Refines Subsistence Halibut Permit System - NMFS Alaska News Release
“We designed community harvest permits, ceremonial permits and educational permits to accommodate particular circumstances in communities that fish halibut for subsistence,” said NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region Administrator, Dr. James Balsiger. “Community harvest permits allow skilled fishermen to harvest subsistence halibut for the whole community. Ceremonial permits allow halibut harvest for specific ceremonial events such as potlatches and marriages. Educational permits allow students who attend Alaska Native cultural camps to learn traditional methods and means of harvesting halibut for subsistence.” ... [Read More]
Pacific Halibut in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Commercial halibut fishing in Alaska began as a fishery open to all individuals and was managed by controlling the duration of the fishery. The duration of the openings has gradually been shortened until in 1994 the openings were only a 1-2 day "derby." The large numbers of vessels fishing the Park resulted in an additional conflict for the NPS, which severely limits the numbers of other types of boats permitted to enter the Bay in order to reduce impacts on humpback whales and other Park resources. In 1995, an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) system was initiated to replace the derby-style fishery. The IFQ system was predicted to result in greater local resource use by fishing vessels, and preliminary data bear out this prediction. Because Glacier Bay is in close proximity to many fishing communities and the waters are relatively protected, the Bay may experience increases in fishing activity and conflicts between visitors and fishing vessels. In addition, fishing can now occu ... [Read More]
IFQ Halibut and Sablefish Reports, CDQ Halibut Reports
Waiver of Halibut IFQ Debit for Landing of Halibut Tagged with Satellite Pop-up Tags ... Holdings of Limited Entry Permits, Sablefish Quota Shares, and Halibut Quota Shares through 1998 and Data on Fishery Gross Earnings Past Season Dates: Pacific halibut , Sablefish ... (IFQ halibut/sablefish and CDQ halibut) ... [Read More]
Restricted Access Management Program - Alaska Groundfish Fishery Permits and IFQ/CDQ Reports (RAM)
The Restricted Access Management Program (RAM) is responsible for managing Alaska Region permit programs, including those that limit access to the Federally-managed fisheries of the North Pacific. RAM responsibilities include: providing program information to the public, determining eligibility and issuing permits, processing transfers, collecting landing fees and related activities. RAM also prepares and distributes reports on landings in the Pacific halibut and sablefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program and halibut landings in the Community Development Quota (CDQ) program. ... [Read More]
Commercial Fishing Fatalities in Alaska - Fatalities in the Commercial Fishing Industry in Alaska
The NIOSH Alaska field station collected and analyzed information on fishing-related fatalities that occurred during the 6-year period 1991-1996, including the location of the vessel, the fishery in which the vessel was operating, circumstances surrounding the incident, demographics of the victims, and survival equipment used [NIOSH 1997]. Fatalities were divided among different fisheries into three major areas: falls overboard, deck injuries (e.g., being crushed by crab pots or falling through hatchways), and vessel-related events (i.e., capsizings, sinkings, or missing vessels). Fatality rates were calculated for each type of fishery by estimating the full-time equivalent worker population of the fishery within which the vessel was operating at the time of the fatal event [CDC 1993; Rodgers et al. 1980; Focht 1986; NIOSH 1994a]. During 1991-1996, a total of 427 occupational fatalities occurred in Alaska. Commercial fishermen made up 146 (34%) of these fatalities. Given the mean ful ... [Read More]
Pacific Halibut in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Commercial halibut fishing in Alaska began as a fishery open to all people and was managed by controlling its duration. The duration of the open fishing season has gradually been shortened, until in 1994 the openings were only a one- to two-day "derby." The large numbers of vessels fishing the waters of Glacier Bay National Park resulted in an additional conflict for the National Park Service, which severely limits the numbers of boats other than commercial fishing vessels permitted to enter Glacier Bay in order to reduce negative impacts on humpback whales and other park resources. In 1995 an individual fishing quota system replaced the derby-style fishery. This system was predicted to result in greater local resource use by fishing vessels, and preliminary data bear out this prediction. Because Glacier Bay is near many fishing communities and its waters are relatively protected, this new quota system may cause the bay to experience increases in fishing activity and more conflicts bet ... [Read More]
FBE Species of Interest - Pacific Halibut
Pacific halibut ( Hippoglossus stenolepis ) is one of the most valuable fishery resources for both commercial and recreational fishers in the North Pacific Ocean because of its high price and large size. Halibut, range from the Sea of Japan to Baja California, and are most abundant from Oregon to Alaska. Populations have been monitored and managed by the International Pacific Halibut Commission for almost 80 years, during which time, landings have been relatively consistent, near 25,000 metric tons per year, currently valued at $126 million. Fishing for halibut is limited to hook and line capture, and all halibut captured by other means must be returned to sea. Halibut landings and bycatch are carefully monitored and trawl fisheries in the Bering Sea are often limited by calculations related to bycatch mortality. ... [Read More]
Alaska Fisheries Regulations, Rules and Notices
Pacific Halibut Fisheries ... Pacific Halibut Annual Management Measures ... Subsistence Halibut ... [Read More]
Halibut Charter Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ)
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) approved an individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for the halibut charter fleet in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska on April 14, 2001. This decision culminated eight years of debate and over 8,000 commentson managing the charter halibut fishery. The IFQ program would replace the guideline harvest level (GHL) program approved by the Council in February 2000, and currently under Secretarial review. No changes were made to the 2-fish daily bag limit or 2-day possession limit for charter anglers. For more information on the halibut charter IFQ program, see the NPFMC halibut issues web page . ... [Read More]
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