2014 Halibut Possession Limit Increase

Whole in the Water

Well-Known Member
Some good news for those that still have some room on their licences for halibut!

Category(s):RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish (Other than Salmon)
Fishery Notice - Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Subject: FN0906-RECREATIONAL - Fin Fish (Other than Salmon) – Coast wide (see exceptions in the notice) - Halibut: Increased daily limit

The DFO and Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB) Halibut Committee meets monthly
throughout the season to review estimated catches.At the most recent meeting,
it was determined that the recreational fishery harvest to July 31, 2014 was
approx. 575,735 pounds of the recreational fishery’s Total Allowable Catch of
1,057,500 pounds.

Given the current management measures in effect and catch forecasts to December
31, 2014, DFO is proceeding with the following change:

Effective September 1 through to December 31, the daily limit will be increased
from 1 fish per day to two fish per day. <o:p></o>
All other management measures as noted in Fishery Notice 0076 remain in effect.

In summary:<o:p></o>
Effective September 1 until December 31, 2014:
- The maximum length for halibut is 133cm.
- The daily limit for halibut is two (2).
- The possession limit for halibut is two (2), only one of which may be greater than 90cm in length.
- There is an annual limit of six (6) halibut (per licence holder) as authorized under the 2014/2015 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence.
- All halibut retained by the licence holder shall be immediately recorded in ink on the 2014-2015 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence.The area from which each halibut is caught and its length shall immediately be recorded on license.

The exceptions to these openings are: Areas 121, 23 and 123:

Currently in effect to 23:59 hours December 31, 2014:
- No person shall fish for or retain halibut, rockfish and lingcod in Area 121
outside the 12 nautical mile limit seaward of a line that begins at 48 degrees
34.000 minutes North latitude and 125 degrees 17.386 minutes West longitude and
continues south easterly at a bearing of 116 degrees True to a point at 48
degrees 28.327 minutes North latitude and 125 degrees 01.687 minutes West longitude.

Area 121:
A reminder to recreational harvesters, that the waters of Swiftsure Bank, inside a line from 48°34.00'N and 125°06.00'W, thence to 48°34.00'N and 124° 54.20'W, thence to 48°29.62'N and 124°43.40'W, thence following the
International Boundary between Canada and the U.S. to 48°29.55'N and 124° 56.20'W, thence in a straight line to the point of commencement, are closed to all finfish, all year.

Non–residents of Canada wishing to fish for and retain halibut in Management Areas 121, 23 and 123 must purchase an electronic licence through a Canadian vendor.

Variation Order: 2014-391
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Devona Adams 604-666-3271, Adam, Keizer 604-666-0912 or Neil Davis 604- 666-9033.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Operations Center - FN0906
Sent August 28, 2014 at 13:15
 
Back
Top