Northwest Fisheries Science Center (U.S.)

The objective of this report is to provide estimates of P. halibut bycatch in the U.S. West Coast groundfish fisheries. Bycatch estimates are required for domestic and international managment of P. halibut. The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC), a body founded through treaty agreement between the U.S. and Canada, sets the P. halibut annual total allowable catch (TAC) for IPHC Area 2A, the collective U.S. marine waters bordering the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. The TAC is based, in part, on bycatch mortality, which takes into account potential survival after being discarded. Regulations for IPHC Area 2A are set by the NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region (WCR). Pacific halibut catch in Area 2A is divided between tribal and nontribal fisheries, between commercial and recreational fisheries, and between recreational fisheries in different states (Washington, Oregon, and California). The Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC) describes this P. halibut catch division each year in a catch-sharing plan.

https://doi.org/10.25923/tkr3-b927

Technical Memorandum