Back in February we told you the federal government was inviting nominations for two U.S. seats on the International Pacific Halibut Commission.
So who was nominated? Here's the list.
Ralph Hoard and Phillip Lestenkof currently occupy the two seats, and both are eligible for reappointment. But only one of those names is on the list of nominees.
Showing posts with label IPHC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IPHC. Show all posts
Wanna be on the IPHC?
The government today published this Federal Register notice inviting nominations for people to serve on the International Pacific Halibut Commission.
The IPHC, as I'm sure you know, is a fishery management panel with three members from the United States and three from Canada.
The Department of Commerce is seeking nominations for two U.S. seats now occupied by Ralph Hoard and Phillip Lestenkof. Both are eligible for reappointment.
Hoard is a longtime IPHC member and, if I'm not mistaken, a now retired Icicle Seafoods executive. Lestenkof is president of Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association.
Maybe you'd like to relieve one of these guys on the IPHC?
Read the notice for details on the nomination process and deadline.
The IPHC, as I'm sure you know, is a fishery management panel with three members from the United States and three from Canada.
The Department of Commerce is seeking nominations for two U.S. seats now occupied by Ralph Hoard and Phillip Lestenkof. Both are eligible for reappointment.
Hoard is a longtime IPHC member and, if I'm not mistaken, a now retired Icicle Seafoods executive. Lestenkof is president of Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association.
Maybe you'd like to relieve one of these guys on the IPHC?
Read the notice for details on the nomination process and deadline.
IPHC annual meeting wrapup now available
Here is the official press release summarizing last week's International Pacific Halibut Commission meeting in Anchorage.
Another season, another deep cut for halibut
The International Pacific Halibut Commission today approved a coastwide catch limit of 33.54 million pounds, down 18 percent from last year.
The cut compounds the 19 percent reduction seen in 2011.
The season will open on March 17.
The IPHC manages U.S. and Canadian halibut stocks. The bulk of the commercial catch comes from Alaska.
Here is the full slate of 2012 catch limits, by regulatory area, expressed in millions of pounds.
Click here for a map of IPHC regulatory areas.
The cut compounds the 19 percent reduction seen in 2011.
The season will open on March 17.
The IPHC manages U.S. and Canadian halibut stocks. The bulk of the commercial catch comes from Alaska.
Here is the full slate of 2012 catch limits, by regulatory area, expressed in millions of pounds.
| Regulatory area | 2011 catch limits | 2012 catch limits | % change |
| 2A | 0.91 | 0.99 | +9 |
| 2B | 7.65 | 7.04 | -8 |
| 2C | 2.33 | 2.62 | +13 |
| 3A | 14.36 | 11.92 | -17 |
| 3B | 7.51 | 5.07 | -32 |
| 4A | 2.41 | 1.57 | -35 |
| 4B | 2.18 | 1.87 | -14 |
| 4CDE | 3.72 | 2.47 | -34 |
| TOTAL | 41.07 | 33.54 | -18 |
Click here for a map of IPHC regulatory areas.
IPHC makes port call in Anchorage
The International Pacific Halibut Commission is holding its annual meeting today through Friday at the Hilton Anchorage.
Of course, the IPHC annual meeting is a big event on the commercial fisheries calendar. It's when the bilateral panel — three members from the United State and three from Canada — sets catch limits for the upcoming season.
Here's a handout, known as the Bluebook, containing the meeting schedule, a summary of the 2011 fishery, the latest assessment of the Pacific halibut stock, and much more.
As previously reported here on Deckboss, the meeting is likely to culminate with some rather dismal news.
Of course, the IPHC annual meeting is a big event on the commercial fisheries calendar. It's when the bilateral panel — three members from the United State and three from Canada — sets catch limits for the upcoming season.
Here's a handout, known as the Bluebook, containing the meeting schedule, a summary of the 2011 fishery, the latest assessment of the Pacific halibut stock, and much more.
As previously reported here on Deckboss, the meeting is likely to culminate with some rather dismal news.
What people are saying about halibut catch limits
As previously noted here on Deckboss, the International Pacific Halibut Commission is meeting Jan. 24-27 in Anchorage to consider this slate of recommended catch limits for the 2012 season.
The IPHC invited public comments, and you can read them here.
The IPHC invited public comments, and you can read them here.
More on halibut
Here is the official press release from last week's International Pacific Halibut Commission meeting in Seattle, where the scientific staff recommended catch limits for the 2012 season.
Evidently, at least one prominent Alaskan, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, was none too pleased with the proceedings and issued this statement:
"It is disappointing to hear further reductions are likely, and that the IPHC is suggesting potentially drastic model changes may be needed that would cause steeper reductions. Whether the changes are incorporated this year or in future years, the discussion creates more uncertainty for the commercial fishing industry, sport charter businesses, and Alaska's fishing communities that have already taken a serious economic hit from reduced harvest levels and changing management measures.
"I'm also concerned at the manner the commission staff presented its findings and data. Conflicting information, lack of clear recommendations, topped off by an abrupt end to the public portion of the meeting combined to leave important questions unanswered about the crucial steps needed to ensure the health of our halibut resource and fisheries."
Evidently, at least one prominent Alaskan, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, was none too pleased with the proceedings and issued this statement:
"It is disappointing to hear further reductions are likely, and that the IPHC is suggesting potentially drastic model changes may be needed that would cause steeper reductions. Whether the changes are incorporated this year or in future years, the discussion creates more uncertainty for the commercial fishing industry, sport charter businesses, and Alaska's fishing communities that have already taken a serious economic hit from reduced harvest levels and changing management measures.
"I'm also concerned at the manner the commission staff presented its findings and data. Conflicting information, lack of clear recommendations, topped off by an abrupt end to the public portion of the meeting combined to leave important questions unanswered about the crucial steps needed to ensure the health of our halibut resource and fisheries."
19 percent cut recommended for halibut fishery
The scientific staff of the International Pacific Halibut Commission today made recommendations on catch limits for the 2012 season.
The commission itself will consider the recommendations at its Jan. 24-27 annual meeting in Anchorage.
Here are the numbers, expressed in millions of pounds.
The commission itself will consider the recommendations at its Jan. 24-27 annual meeting in Anchorage.
Here are the numbers, expressed in millions of pounds.
| Regulatory area | 2011 catch limits | 2012 staff advice | % change |
| 2A | 0.91 | 0.99 | +9 |
| 2B | 7.65 | 6.63 | -13 |
| 2C | 2.33 | 2.62 | +12 |
| 3A | 14.36 | 11.92 | -17 |
| 3B | 7.51 | 5.07 | -32 |
| 4A | 2.41 | 1.57 | -35 |
| 4B | 2.18 | 1.87 | -14 |
| 4CDE | 3.72 | 2.47 | -34 |
| TOTAL | 41.07 | 33.14 | -19 |
Halibut opens tomorrow; 2C charter catch limited
Can you believe it? Another halibut season is upon us with the 2011 fishery starting at noon tomorrow.
The season last eight months, closing at noon Nov. 18.
Here are the catch limits by regulatory area.
Be safe and good fishing, everybody.
In a related note, the National Marine Fisheries Service today announced it will implement controversial measures to control halibut catches on charter boats in Southeast Alaska (Area 2C).
Specifically, charter clients will continue to face a one-fish daily bag limit. A new twist this year is that keepers can be no more than 37 inches long.
Charter operators say a 37-inch halibut weighs around 23 pounds.
Here's the NMFS press release:
March 11, 2011
Halibut stock decline forces increased charter measures
The National Marine Fisheries Service today announced it is implementing the regulatory recommendations of the International Pacific Halibut Commission due to concerns over declining halibut stocks. These regulations include limiting the maximum size of a halibut caught by charter anglers in Southeast Alaska to 37 inches, and retaining the one-fish-per-person-per-day rule that began in 2009.
The halibut stock is declining due to reduced numbers of fish reaching a catchable size range, lower growth rates, and higher than target harvest rates. The stock remains at risk of further declines. Conservation of the halibut resource is the primary concern and management objective of the measures.
At its annual meeting in January, the IPHC recommended the maximum size rule for charter anglers in Southeast (Area 2C) as a way to maintain charter harvests at the annual guideline harvest level of 788,000 pounds in 2011. The Southeast charter fleet catch has exceeded its harvest level every year since 2004.
The IPHC's recommendation is based on the analysis and methods adopted by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Because of particular concerns for impacts on small businesses in Southeast, NMFS intends to ask the council to review the methodology used to determine maximum size limits, including a 42-inch limit. If the council chooses to adopt a different limit than the IPHC has recommended, NMFS will go back to the IPHC to ask that it modify its recommendation to match that of the council.
"The declining halibut stock is impacting both charter and commercial halibut fishers all along the West Coast from Washington state to Alaska," said James Balsiger, NMFS administrator for Alaska.
NMFS is committed to working cooperatively with Canada to jointly manage the halibut stock "for the long-term benefit of both our countries," Balsiger said.
NMFS has implemented numerous restrictions on the Area 2C charter fleet in an attempt to more closely align charter harvest with the limit, but those measures have been insufficient. Even with the one-fish bag limit in 2010, the charter halibut fleet exceeded its harvest limit by 491,000 pounds, or 62 percent. Each year that the charter fleet exceeds its harvest limit, it leads to a lower fixed quota for the commercial fishery the following year. The commercial catch limit in Area 2C is 73 percent lower in 2011 than it was in 2003.
The purpose of the rule is to allow charter halibut fishermen to continue their operations while staying within the harvest limit, and minimizing adverse effects on the charter fishery, its sportfishing clients, and the coastal communities that serve as home ports for the fishery. Allowing halibut to rebuild will best serve the economic interests of both the charter and commercial fisheries over the long term.
The harvest limit was adopted by the NPFMC and implemented by NMFS in 2003. It is expected to be replaced by a catch-sharing plan in 2012, which would establish management measures designed to prevent overharvesting of the halibut resource and result in a sustainable fishery.
The season last eight months, closing at noon Nov. 18.
Here are the catch limits by regulatory area.
Be safe and good fishing, everybody.
In a related note, the National Marine Fisheries Service today announced it will implement controversial measures to control halibut catches on charter boats in Southeast Alaska (Area 2C).
Specifically, charter clients will continue to face a one-fish daily bag limit. A new twist this year is that keepers can be no more than 37 inches long.
Charter operators say a 37-inch halibut weighs around 23 pounds.
Here's the NMFS press release:
March 11, 2011
Halibut stock decline forces increased charter measures
The National Marine Fisheries Service today announced it is implementing the regulatory recommendations of the International Pacific Halibut Commission due to concerns over declining halibut stocks. These regulations include limiting the maximum size of a halibut caught by charter anglers in Southeast Alaska to 37 inches, and retaining the one-fish-per-person-per-day rule that began in 2009.
The halibut stock is declining due to reduced numbers of fish reaching a catchable size range, lower growth rates, and higher than target harvest rates. The stock remains at risk of further declines. Conservation of the halibut resource is the primary concern and management objective of the measures.
At its annual meeting in January, the IPHC recommended the maximum size rule for charter anglers in Southeast (Area 2C) as a way to maintain charter harvests at the annual guideline harvest level of 788,000 pounds in 2011. The Southeast charter fleet catch has exceeded its harvest level every year since 2004.
The IPHC's recommendation is based on the analysis and methods adopted by the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Because of particular concerns for impacts on small businesses in Southeast, NMFS intends to ask the council to review the methodology used to determine maximum size limits, including a 42-inch limit. If the council chooses to adopt a different limit than the IPHC has recommended, NMFS will go back to the IPHC to ask that it modify its recommendation to match that of the council.
"The declining halibut stock is impacting both charter and commercial halibut fishers all along the West Coast from Washington state to Alaska," said James Balsiger, NMFS administrator for Alaska.
NMFS is committed to working cooperatively with Canada to jointly manage the halibut stock "for the long-term benefit of both our countries," Balsiger said.
NMFS has implemented numerous restrictions on the Area 2C charter fleet in an attempt to more closely align charter harvest with the limit, but those measures have been insufficient. Even with the one-fish bag limit in 2010, the charter halibut fleet exceeded its harvest limit by 491,000 pounds, or 62 percent. Each year that the charter fleet exceeds its harvest limit, it leads to a lower fixed quota for the commercial fishery the following year. The commercial catch limit in Area 2C is 73 percent lower in 2011 than it was in 2003.
The purpose of the rule is to allow charter halibut fishermen to continue their operations while staying within the harvest limit, and minimizing adverse effects on the charter fishery, its sportfishing clients, and the coastal communities that serve as home ports for the fishery. Allowing halibut to rebuild will best serve the economic interests of both the charter and commercial fisheries over the long term.
The harvest limit was adopted by the NPFMC and implemented by NMFS in 2003. It is expected to be replaced by a catch-sharing plan in 2012, which would establish management measures designed to prevent overharvesting of the halibut resource and result in a sustainable fishery.
IPHC issues recap of annual meeting
Here's the official press release summing up action from last week's International Pacific Halibut Commission annual meeting.
Halibut cuts confirmed
Here are the major results from the International Pacific Halibut Commission annual meeting in Victoria, British Columbia:
• The commission pretty much accepted the recommendations of its scientific staff and approved a coastwide catch limit of 41.07 million pounds for the 2011 season, down 19 percent from last year.
• Southeast Alaska (Area 2C) will take a particularly hard hit with a catch limit of 2.33 million pounds, down 47 percent.
• The 2011 season will open March 12 and close Nov. 18.
The Seattle-based IPHC manages U.S. and Canadian halibut stocks. The bulk of the commercial catch comes from Alaska.
Here's the full slate of 2011 catch limits, by regulatory area, expressed in millions of pounds.
• The commission pretty much accepted the recommendations of its scientific staff and approved a coastwide catch limit of 41.07 million pounds for the 2011 season, down 19 percent from last year.
• Southeast Alaska (Area 2C) will take a particularly hard hit with a catch limit of 2.33 million pounds, down 47 percent.
• The 2011 season will open March 12 and close Nov. 18.
The Seattle-based IPHC manages U.S. and Canadian halibut stocks. The bulk of the commercial catch comes from Alaska.
Here's the full slate of 2011 catch limits, by regulatory area, expressed in millions of pounds.
| Regulatory area | 2010 catch limits | 2011 catch limits | % change |
| 2A | 0.81 | 0.91 | +12 |
| 2B | 7.5 | 7.65 | +2 |
| 2C | 4.4 | 2.33 | -47 |
| 3A | 19.99 | 14.36 | -28 |
| 3B | 9.9 | 7.51 | -24 |
| 4A | 2.33 | 2.41 | +3 |
| 4B | 2.16 | 2.18 | +1 |
| 4CDE | 3.58 | 3.72 | +4 |
| TOTAL | 50.67 | 41.07 | -19 |
Size matters
Here's an article I wrote for the February issue of Pacific Fishing magazine, just now hitting the streets. Deckboss invites your comments.
The big story on halibut: small fish, small quota
By Wesley Loy
For Pacific Fishing
Halibut fishermen are facing a big cut in the coastwide catch limit this year, and nowhere is the pain more acute than in Southeast Alaska (Area 2C).
The scientific staff of the International Pacific Halibut Commission has recommended a coastwide catch limit of 41.02 million pounds, a 19 percent reduction from the 2010 limit. The commission, comprised of three U.S. and three Canadian members, was to consider the recommendation at its annual meeting Jan. 25-28 in Victoria, British Columbia.
For Area 2C, the IPHC staff recommended a catch limit of 2.33 million pounds, a 47 percent cut. Longliners in the region have suffered annual cuts since 2005, when the limit was 10.93 million pounds.
The staff also recommended a 28 percent cut, to 14.36 million pounds, for Southcentral Alaska (Area 3A). The area is the top producer of Pacific halibut.
So what's behind these deep cuts? Have we overfished halibut? Is the stock collapsing?
The problem is fish size, not overharvest or a crash, says Bruce Leaman, IPHC executive director.
"There's lots and lots of fish around," he says. "They're just small."
Halibut, especially in the central Gulf of Alaska, are in a period of very slow growth. A fish that used to reach 100 pounds at age 15 today weighs around 35 pounds, Leaman says.
This obviously has huge implications for the catch limit, which is based not on numbers of fish but on biomass.
Scientists believe the slow growth rate is due primarily to competition for food between halibut and another abundant flatfish in the Gulf, the arrowtooth flounder, Leaman says.
The outlook for halibut isn't entirely gloomy.
For one thing, we've endured periods of small fish before, Leaman says.
Another positive is the very strong recruitment coming into the fishery coastwide, though the low growth rate diminishes any increase in the biomass, he says.
As for Area 2C, the good news is that the biomass looks to be stabilizing, Leaman says. To encourage the recovery, the IPHC scientific staff suggested a more stringent harvest policy, which accounts for the sharply lower catch limit recommendation.
Of course, the commissioners don't have to follow the staff advice as they weigh other considerations such as the hardship felt among commercial fishermen, many of whom have invested in costly fishing quotas.
In fact, for 2010 the staff recommended a catch limit of 3.71 million pounds for Area 2C but the commission bumped it up to 4.4 million.
The big story on halibut: small fish, small quota
By Wesley Loy
For Pacific Fishing
Halibut fishermen are facing a big cut in the coastwide catch limit this year, and nowhere is the pain more acute than in Southeast Alaska (Area 2C).
The scientific staff of the International Pacific Halibut Commission has recommended a coastwide catch limit of 41.02 million pounds, a 19 percent reduction from the 2010 limit. The commission, comprised of three U.S. and three Canadian members, was to consider the recommendation at its annual meeting Jan. 25-28 in Victoria, British Columbia.
For Area 2C, the IPHC staff recommended a catch limit of 2.33 million pounds, a 47 percent cut. Longliners in the region have suffered annual cuts since 2005, when the limit was 10.93 million pounds.
The staff also recommended a 28 percent cut, to 14.36 million pounds, for Southcentral Alaska (Area 3A). The area is the top producer of Pacific halibut.
So what's behind these deep cuts? Have we overfished halibut? Is the stock collapsing?
The problem is fish size, not overharvest or a crash, says Bruce Leaman, IPHC executive director.
"There's lots and lots of fish around," he says. "They're just small."
Halibut, especially in the central Gulf of Alaska, are in a period of very slow growth. A fish that used to reach 100 pounds at age 15 today weighs around 35 pounds, Leaman says.
This obviously has huge implications for the catch limit, which is based not on numbers of fish but on biomass.
Scientists believe the slow growth rate is due primarily to competition for food between halibut and another abundant flatfish in the Gulf, the arrowtooth flounder, Leaman says.
The outlook for halibut isn't entirely gloomy.
For one thing, we've endured periods of small fish before, Leaman says.
Another positive is the very strong recruitment coming into the fishery coastwide, though the low growth rate diminishes any increase in the biomass, he says.
As for Area 2C, the good news is that the biomass looks to be stabilizing, Leaman says. To encourage the recovery, the IPHC scientific staff suggested a more stringent harvest policy, which accounts for the sharply lower catch limit recommendation.
Of course, the commissioners don't have to follow the staff advice as they weigh other considerations such as the hardship felt among commercial fishermen, many of whom have invested in costly fishing quotas.
In fact, for 2010 the staff recommended a catch limit of 3.71 million pounds for Area 2C but the commission bumped it up to 4.4 million.
Tensions mount ahead of halibut annual meeting
Big week coming up, friends, with the International Pacific Halibut Commission convening its 87th annual meeting on Tuesday in Victoria, British Columbia.
The six-member commission will recommend 2011 catch limits to the governments of Canada and the United States. It also will take care of such chores as setting the season opening and closing dates.
This promises to be a fairly intense meeting.
Deckboss already has noted the discontent among commercial fishermen in Southeast Alaska (Area 2C), which is expected to take a severe reduction to its catch limit.
Halibut charter boat operators also are feeling anxious. Check out this action alert from SEAGO, the Southeast Alaska Guides Organization.
As usual, the IPHC staff has posted its Bluebook of key reports for the meeting. My favorite chapter is the "Assessment of the Pacific halibut stock at the end of 2010," which begins on page 60.
Regrettably, I can't make it to Victoria. But I'll try to cover the action from afar.
The six-member commission will recommend 2011 catch limits to the governments of Canada and the United States. It also will take care of such chores as setting the season opening and closing dates.
This promises to be a fairly intense meeting.
Deckboss already has noted the discontent among commercial fishermen in Southeast Alaska (Area 2C), which is expected to take a severe reduction to its catch limit.
Halibut charter boat operators also are feeling anxious. Check out this action alert from SEAGO, the Southeast Alaska Guides Organization.
As usual, the IPHC staff has posted its Bluebook of key reports for the meeting. My favorite chapter is the "Assessment of the Pacific halibut stock at the end of 2010," which begins on page 60.
Regrettably, I can't make it to Victoria. But I'll try to cover the action from afar.
Halibut trouble
As reported last month here on Deckboss, the scientific staff of the International Pacific Halibut Commission is making some tough recommendations on catch limits for the upcoming season, including a 47 percent cut for Southeast Alaska (Area 2C).
The six-member commission is meeting Jan. 25-28 in Victoria, British Columbia, to consider these recommendations.
One Sitka-based commercial fishing group, the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association, says it was "staggered" by the staff recommendations and has provided these thoughtful comments to the commissioners.
Among other things, the organization says it can't understand the 47 percent cut in Area 2C, and adds that "constantly changing harvest policies" are undermining stakeholder confidence in halibut management.
The six-member commission is meeting Jan. 25-28 in Victoria, British Columbia, to consider these recommendations.
One Sitka-based commercial fishing group, the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association, says it was "staggered" by the staff recommendations and has provided these thoughtful comments to the commissioners.
Among other things, the organization says it can't understand the 47 percent cut in Area 2C, and adds that "constantly changing harvest policies" are undermining stakeholder confidence in halibut management.
For your convenience
Here's the full slate of recommended 2011 catch limits, by regulatory area, from the scientific staff of the International Pacific Halibut Commission.
Limits are expressed in millions of pounds.
Limits are expressed in millions of pounds.
| Regulatory area | 2010 catch limits | 2011 staff limits | % change |
| 2A | 0.81 | 0.86 | +6 |
| 2B | 7.5 | 7.65 | +2 |
| 2C | 4.4 | 2.33 | -47 |
| 3A | 19.99 | 14.36 | -28 |
| 3B | 9.9 | 7.52 | -24 |
| 4A | 2.33 | 2.41 | +3 |
| 4B | 2.16 | 2.18 | +1 |
| 4CDE | 3.58 | 3.72 | +4 |
| TOTAL | 50.67 | 41.02 | -19 |
Halibut hit hard again
The scientific staff of the International Pacific Halibut Commission today recommended catch limits for the 2011 season, and the numbers are seriously ugly.
Coastwide, the staff is recommending a 19 percent cut to 41.02 million pounds.
For Southcentral Alaska (Area 3A), the staff is calling for a 28 percent cut to 14.36 million pounds.
For Southeast Alaska (Area 2C), the staff is recommending a fearsome 47 percent cut to 2.33 million pounds.
Ouch.
The commission meets in January in Victoria, British Columbia, to consider the recommendations.
Coastwide, the staff is recommending a 19 percent cut to 41.02 million pounds.
For Southcentral Alaska (Area 3A), the staff is calling for a 28 percent cut to 14.36 million pounds.
For Southeast Alaska (Area 2C), the staff is recommending a fearsome 47 percent cut to 2.33 million pounds.
Ouch.
The commission meets in January in Victoria, British Columbia, to consider the recommendations.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)