Pacific Halibut Fisheries; 1996 Halibut Landing Report No. 1

The IPHC, under the Convention between the United States of America and Canada for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (signed at Ottawa, Ontario, on March 2, 1953), as amended by a Protocol Amending the Convention (signed at Washington, DC, on March 29, 1979), has issued this inseason action pursuant to IPHC regulations governing the Pacific halibut fishery. The regulations have been approved by NMFS (60 FR 14651, March 20, 1995, and amended at 61 FR 11337, March 20, 1996). On behalf of the IPHC, this inseason action is published in the Federal Register to provide additional notice of its effectiveness, and to inform persons subject to the inseason action of the restrictions and requirements established therein.

Inseason Action

1996 Halibut Landing Report No. 1

Non-treaty Commercial Fishing Period Limits in Area 2A

The Commission has determined that fishing period limits will be required during the 10-hour, July 10 non-treaty directed commercial fishing period in Area 2A to avoid exceeding the 91,052 pound (41.90 metric tons (mt)) catch limit. The July 10 fishing period will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 6:00 p.m. The fishery is restricted to waters that are south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46 deg.53'18'' N. latitude) under regulations promulgated by National Marine Fisheries Service. Fishing period limits as indicated in the following table will be in effect for this opening.

------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vessel class Fishing period limit (pounds) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Length Letter Dressed, head-on Dressed, head-off ---------------------------------------------------------------*-------- 0-25........... A 285 250 26-30........... B 360 315 31-35........... C 575 505 36-40........... D 1,580 1,390 41-45........... E 1,700 1,495 46-50........... F 2,035 1,790 51-55........... G 2,265 1,995 56+ ........... H 3,410 3,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * Weights are after 2 percent has been deducted for ice and slime if fish are not washed prior to weighing.

The appropriate vessel length class and letter is printed on each vessel license. The fishing period limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-off weight as well as dressed, head-on weight, although fishermen are reminded that regulations require that all halibut from Area 2A be landed with the head on. The fishing period limit applies to the vessel, not the individual fisherman, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to forfeiture and fine.

Northwest Treaty Tribes Fishery in Area 2A

Northwest treaty Indian tribes were allocated a total allowable catch of 182,000 pounds (82.55 mt) in subarea 2A-1 (northern Washington coast) in 1996. Of this total, 14,000 pounds (6.35 mt) are reserved for ceremonial and subsistence purposes, leaving 168,000 pounds (76.20 mt) for the commercial fishery. As of April 1, 1996, the total commercial catch in subarea 2A-1 was 166,000 pounds (75.29 mt). A restricted commercial fishery occurred March 15 to April 1, producing 12,000 pounds (5.44 mt). Two directed commercial fishing periods produced a total of 154,000 pounds (69.85 mt). A decision whether to reopen subarea 2A-1 to catch the 2,000 pounds (0.90 mt) remaining in the catch limit will be made later.

Area 2B Commercial Fishery Update

Halibut landings from Area 2B total 3.0 million pounds (1,360.79 mt) through May 6, leaving 6.52 million pounds (2,957.45 mt) of the catch limit to be caught. The fishery will continue until all Individual Vessel Quotas have been filled, or November 15, whichever is earlier.

Annette Island Reserve Fishery in Area 2C

The Metlakatla Indian community has been authorized by the United States Government to conduct a commercial halibut fishery within the Annette Island Reserve. One 48-hour fishing period occurred between April 27-29, producing a total catch of 3,050 pounds (1.38 mt).

Alaskan Commercial Fishery Update

It is estimated that the following catches and number of landings were made in the Alaskan Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fishery through May 1, 1996. No Community Development Quota landings have been made.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Catch limit Catch (000's No. of Area (000's pounds) pounds) landings ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2C.............................................................. 9,000 2,354 603 3A.............................................................. 20,000 3,786 493 3B.............................................................. 3,700 215 35 4A.............................................................. 1,950 26 4 4B.............................................................. 2,310 13 1 4C.............................................................. 770 0 0 4D.............................................................. 770 0 0 4E.............................................................. 120 0 0 ----------------------------------------------- Total....................................................... 38,620 6,394 1,136 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

During the same time period in 1995, March 15 through May 2, 2.5 million pounds (11,339.92 mt) were landed in the Alaskan IFQ fishery.

Dated: May 23, 1996. Richard W. Surdi, Acting Director, Office of Fisheries Conservation and Management, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 96-13474 Filed 5-29-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-W