IPHC Update:

As predicted, catch limits for the 2012 Pacific Halibut commercial fishing season were reduced during the 88^th IPHC Annual Meeting which met between January 23^rd and the 27^th. Committee members came to an overall catch limit reduction of 18% or 7.53 million pounds, leaving states on the U.S. West coast, Alaska and British Columbia with a total of 33.54 million pounds to split. All but two of the Regulatory Areas saw a decrease in quota; the catch levels of British Columbia’s Areas 2A and 2C were increased by 9 and 13 percent respectively. The Areas of greatest reduction were found in Alaska’s 3B and 4A with 32% and 35% reductions. This cutback follows last year’s total allowable catch reduction of 19% and the IPHC scientific staff agrees that there will be further cuts next season if the issue with size at age (see earlier article) does not correct itself this year.

The Committee also made changes to the start and end dates of the 2012 season which will open on March 17^th and end on November 7^th. The original suggested season would have started on March 31^st and ended on October 31^st but because of tides, the season’s proximity to Easter and the economic need for a longer season, the Committee decided on a slightly elongated fishing period.

A further outcome of this year’s meeting was the awareness that the scientific model used to determine biomass is flawed and in need of a complete overhaul. We can most likely expect to see a new or at least improved model in 2013.

The major ports of each Regulatory Area are as follows:

2A- Seattle

2B- Victoria, Vancouver, Prince Rupert

2C- Juneau, Sitka, Petersburg

3A- Yakutat, Cordova, Steward, Homer, Kodiak

3B- Kodiak, Homer, Steward, Sand Point,

4- Dutch Harbor, St. Paul, St. George, Adak

General State of Seafood