For 2017, the recreational fishery allocation is 1,118,029 pounds.
The following measures will be in effect as noted below.
Further updates on the fishing regulations for April 1, 2017 will be provided
later in February following meetings with the Sport Fishing Advisory Board
(SFAB).
Coast-wide:
Open time:
Effective at 00:01 hours February 1, 2017 fishing for halibut will be opened
coast-wide until further notice.
Licensing:
The 2016/2017 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licences and Conditions of Licence,
remain in effect until 23:59 hours March 31, 2017.
Limits and sizes:
Effective February 1, 2017 until further notice:
-The maximum length for halibut is 133cm.
-The daily limit for halibut is one (1).
-The possession limit for halibut is two (2), only one (1) of which may be over
83cm in length.
-The annual limit is six (6) halibut per licence holder, as set out on the
2016/2017 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence.
-All halibut retained by the licence holder shall be immediately recorded on
the 2016/2017 Tidal Waters Sport Fishing Licence. The area from which each
halibut is caught and its length shall immediately be recorded on licence.
The exceptions to these openings are:
Areas 121:
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 and 125 degrees 17.386 minutes W and continues south easterly at
a bearing of 116 degrees True to a point at 48 degrees 28.327 minutes and 125
degrees 01.687 minutes W.
Area 121:
Closed to all finfish, year round in the waters of Swiftsure Bank, inside a
line from 48 degrees 34.00 minutes N and 125 degrees 06.00 minutes W, thence to
48 degrees 34.00 minutes N and 124 degrees 54.20 minutes W, thence to 48
degrees 29.62 minutes N and 124 degrees 43.40 minutes W, thence following the
International Boundary between Canada and the U.S. to 48 degrees 29.55 minutes
N and 124 degrees 56.20 minutes W, thence in a straight line to the point of
commencement.
http://www-ops2.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=193069&ID=all