Halibut Bycatch

When the topic of Halibut bycatch comes up, we find that there tends to be a disconnect between the fish on the grounds and the testimony before the IPHC and the NPFMC.  We have taken the ACTUAL Halibut bycatch by each sector and then compared the amount of economic impact the Halibut has between the directed fishery (H&L) and our Amendment 80 sector.  The table below shows overall in 2014 (and same order but different lbs. in 2013):

1. Largest user of bycatch in the halibut fishery is the freezer longliner (H&L) sector - 14M lbs. +

2. Trawl comes in second at 11M lbs. +

3. Directed Halibut fishery comes in 3rd at 8M lbs. + (highgrading fish - discarding/wasting <32" )  

Furthermore, the value of a ton of Halibut varies from sector to sector - between the 2nd and 3rd largest users of Halibut 

Please read the full analysis here:  

Alaska Seafood Coop / Groundfish Forum Halibut Bycatch Reduction Jan. 28, 2015

Read more from Chris Woodley:  Pacific Fishing Magazine January 2015

And here's an experimental fishery we participated in 2012:  Intrepid Resource Stewards 

Fishermen's Finest ~ a team of excellence ~ our name says it all.