September 2, 2013 — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration–Fisheries officials estimated thousands of comments were received on the proposed halibut Catch Sharing Plan. The comment period closed Aug. 26. Officials are reviewing comments and haven’t determined a final number.
The CSP regulations would replace the current charter guideline harvest level with a percentage allocation for each area of the combined catch limit as determined by the International Pacific Halibut Commission. The catch would be split between the commercial and charter fisheries.
Guided sport anglers in Area 3A, including Homer and Cook Inlet, would receive from 14 to 18.9 percent of the catch limit depending on abundance.
Some opponents said the CSP would mean reducing the daily halibut bag limit from two fish to one fish. Many of the comments received opposed a one-fish bag limit in area 3A, said Julie Speegle, NOAA Fisheries public affairs officer.
A 2011 version included a matrix setting rules like a one-fish bag limit under different ranges of abundance, but the latest version eliminates that matrix.
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