Tom Pearson, National Marine Fisheries Service biologist in Kodiak said that he expected to announce a closure for trawl boats this week due to halibut bycatch, lengthening the season even further for fixed gear.
An increased quota has helped boost the season, with a total of 25,565 tons being allocated to the central Gulf of Alaska this year, an increase of 20 percent over last year.
The pot and longline season opened Jan. 1, and trawlers began fishing Jan. 20. In a normal season the trawlers would suck up the federal quota in a matter of days, sending the fixed gear boats into state waters, within 3 miles of shore. This year the trawl boats reported spotty fishing when they were able to get out, and weather and volcanic activity kept them tied to the dock for days at a time. Six of the 18 draggers in Kodiak opted to leave for the Bering Sea to fish for pollock, reducing the catch rate even further.
As of Feb. 18, there were still about 2,000 tons left on the federal quota, and with the trawl closure due to bycatch, fishery managers will be looking at catch rates for fixed gear to determine how much longer the fishery will continue.
Pearson said Kodiak boats were reporting improved fishing last weekend for all gear types, but weather was a factor early in the week. He anticipated quota being left after the decision was made for the trawl closure.
Pot boats in Homer also were reporting spotty fishing, but weather has hampered efforts to move gear and stay on the fish.
Prices remain strong for cod, with Kodiak reporting 38 to 40 cents, and Homer boats being paid 40 cents and up per pound.
When federal waters close, state waters will open for pot and jig gear. Changes to the allocation last year resulted in an increased quota. The quota is based on a percentage of the federal quota, so that quota jump will also boost the Total Allowable Catch for state waters. The TAC for 2006 in state waters is 3.13 million pounds, up from 2.74 million pounds last year. That gets split between pot boats, which get 2.35 million pounds, and jig boats, which get 0.8 million pounds. Pounds caught by boats fishing inside 3 miles during the federal season are taken off the federal quota. Once federal waters close, the state waters quota takes effect.
Cristy Fry has commercial fished in Homer since 1978. She also designs and builds gear for the industry. She currently longlines for halibut and gillnets salmon in upper Cook Inlet aboard the F/V Realist.
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