2009 Halibut Season

[catskinner]

Can you guys tell me when ODFW will release the dates for the 2009 Halibut season?

[KeyWest]

ODFW doesn't set Halibut seasons.
The PFMC does.
That said, the IPHC gives the PFMC the allowable biomass, which then sends that to the ODFW.

Complex - not really. The IPHC manages halibut. It sets allowable catches per area. Areas span states, so the PFMC gets to allocate the catch between states. Once the catch allocation goes to the state, the ODFW allocates it's share amongst users in the state (which is the CR area, Nearshore, and then All-depths).

Lots of moving pieces this year as the AK commercial guys have data to suggest that 1/2 of our allocation will be moved north.

Here is a site you can monitor:

Pacific Halibut Management

[catskinner]

Thanks for the reply Dean. Good information. Generally, what month are the dates given out? Thanks

[KeyWest]

I would look for something around the March time frame.

[catskinner]

Sounds good. Thanks again for the reply

[Capt.E]

i think the problem is the greedy charter owners in alaska cant give up a few fish. When numbers have been set aside the past 4 years the com took a hit while charter operators continued to catch more than they were supposed to. Many of these com guys have financed the family farm so they can have a piece of quota.It really isnt the com fault we are getting cut it is the greed of the charter operators who wont give up one fish per day. Alot of the coms are barely making it due to reduced quotas high fuel etc. My facts are coming from a 09' issue of national fisherman mag. The c.r. halibut fishery is a huge part of my season but lets not blam alaska coms all they want is a fair deal. I dont agree with taking fish from here and sending them north but we DONT have a voice here and there for we will loose.You guys want more quota longer seasons? join the fight and go to some meetings have a voice let them know that there is more tha a dozen people who care about our halibut.my two cents

[Capt.E]

check out www.flatfishissues.blogspot.com it might give everyone a better idea of what i am trying to say here.

[Northern]

Hell, I just want a chance to capture a fish to eat myself. If we had a fraction of the % that the Central Oregon Coast leaves on the table every December I'd be thrilled.

This 2 fish day bullshit to kill the quota the last few years is a total fucking joke and slap in the face to anyone that fishes the C.R. in a boat that won't fit on a fucking trailer.

[catskinner]

I would think that it would be the other way around. Letting the charter boats keep the 2 fish quota would do a lot more for the local economy then keeping the quotas high for the commercial fishermen. When I go to a certian place, say to fish for Halibut, I drop money all over town. It doesnt make it sense to travel far away and spend $200 to catch one fish, although I still would. I dont live the life like you guys do,trying to make a living at it, but It seems logical to me to help out say 200 local charter operators from N Cal to Alaska, as opposed to 10 commercial boats. When the seasons-quotas keep getting cut back,Im sure your local economy suffers. Reading the link, it doesnt make sense to limit a boat to 6 lines,and the crew cant keep a fish or two for themselves. This will just drive up the costs of the trips, and limit the amount of fishermen that could afford the costs.Like I said, Im a outsider looking in, you guys live the life, so probably what Im saying is a bunch of crap. I REALLY do appreciate the information, it puts things in perspective

[Shocktower]

Great let the Commys take every thing and thats how it`s going to be until we start getting together and fight back when I say Commys I mean the larg fleet boats who just flat ass rape the Ocean like a prison bitch

[Keta]

Until sportfish can organize and lobby as a grope comfish will continue to dick us.