The IPHC also ruled on three proposals from Canadian fishermen to push back the season opening until at least March 15, two weeks later than current regulations allow. The three proposals had similar reasoning, mainly to allow halibut in Southeast Alaska to finish their migration into Canadian waters and reduce the catch of smaller fish. The commission received a staff report indicating very little difference between the size compositions of halibut landed in the first two weeks compared with that during the last two weeks of March 2004. After reviewing staff information and proposals from the harvesting and processing sector, the commission voted on a season similar to 2003 and 2004. Further, it was agreed to open the season on a Sunday to facilitate marketing. Therefore, the season will open at noon Feb. 27 and close at noon Nov. 15.
The commission also received a proposal to allow the Alaska Food Coalition to process 50,000 pounds of halibut caught as bycatch by trawlers and distribute it through food banks. This proposal was denied, and the IPHC press release gave the following reason: "While the Commission understood the intent of the proposal, it believed that this proposal would work against the Commission's agreement between the two countries (U.S. and Canada) to reduce halibut bycatch mortality in non-target fisheries. The advisory bodies also believed that other available sources of acceptable fish protein should be thoroughly evaluated."
The IPHC is requesting bids from commercial longline vessels to perform setline survey charters during the summer of 2005. The purpose of the standardized survey is to collect information important to the annual stock assessment. This information is used to study aspects of the halibut fishery and stocks such as growth, distribution, area wide biomass, age composition, sexual maturity and relative abundance of bycatch species. The 2005 survey will range from the southern Oregon border to the northern Bering Sea, including the Aleutian Islands. The setline survey is divided into 27 separate charter regions covering most regulatory areas. Vessels can complete up to three charter regions, however, all fishing operations must be completed between May 30 and Aug. 31. For further charter information please contact IPHC at (206) 634-1838. Bids must be received at the IPHC office in Seattle by noon March 7.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is currently meeting in Seattle to further refine the Gulf of Alaska groundfish rationalization plan at its regular meeting that began Feb. 9 and runs through Feb. 15. Also on the agenda are essential fish habitat plans, the GOA Rockfish Demonstration Project, Pacific cod allocations and Bering Sea-Aleutian Islands salmon bycatch. A complete agenda and schedule can be found on its Web site at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/npfmc/. The council generally holds five meetings per year.
The Alaska Marine Safety Education Association is once again offering mini-grants to help fund safety training projects in Alaska. In its third year, the program is intended to increase or enhance safety training for high-risk groups in commercial fishermen or children. The funds are available only to AMSEA-trained educators and instructors who are actively teaching or promoting marine safety. Grants are limited to a maximum of $5,000 per project. Proposals for less than $5,000 are encouraged to allow for a variety of projects to be funded. A team of AMSEA staff and board members will review all proposals. Grant applications should be mailed to AMSEA and received at AMSEA's Sitka office no later than 5 p.m. Feb. 14. Awards will be announced Feb. 28. Grant guidelines and an easy, two-page application are available at www.amsea.org or can be requested from the Sitka AMSEA office at (907) 747-3287.
Cristy Fry has commercial fished in Homer since 1978, and has also designed and built gear for the industry. She currently longlines for halibut and sablefish, and gillnets salmon in Upper Cook Inlet aboard the F/V Realist.
