California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Marine Management News

Informational Notice


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 30, 2014


The following informational notice is from the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC)


Important Change to Commercial Pacific Halibut IPHC Permit Deadline

NOTICE TO ALL 2A LICENSE HOLDERS


This letter is to inform you of changes to the 2014 Area 2A (WA, OR, CA) catch sharing plan, including earlier application deadline dates and new halibut vessel licensing procedures for the 2014 season. Procedures and deadline dates for submitting applications for sport charter licenses have not changed.


In 2013, the Pacific Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service approved the possibility of an earlier season opening date of April 1 for the commercial incidental catch of halibut during the salmon troll season and the commercial incidental catch of halibut during the longline sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis, Washington. As a result of these decisions, the Area 2A halibut vessel license application procedures and submission deadline dates are summarized below:

1.If applying for a license to fish in the incidental catch of halibut during the salmon troll season, the new deadline date is March 15 and applications need to be postmarked no later than 11:59 PM on March 17, 2014 (as March 15 falls on the weekend). This license cannot be obtained if applying for licenses noted in 2) and 3) below;

2.If applying for a license to fish in the incidental catch of halibut during the longline sablefish fishery, the new deadline date is March 15 and applications need to be postmarked no later than 11:59 PM on March 17, 2014 (as March 15 falls on the weekend). Vessels can also participate in the directed commercial fishery if they apply for a directed commercial license;

3.If applying for a license to fish in the directed commercial fishery ONLY, the deadline date remained the same and applications need to be postmarked no later than 11:59 PM on April 30, 2014;

4. In 2014, there are separate licenses for the directed commercial fishery and the incidental catch of halibut during the limited entry longline sablefish fishery. If applying for a license to fish in BOTH the directed commercial fishery and the incidental catch of halibut during the longline sablefish fishery, you must check both activities on the application form. If you selected 'BOTH' in 2013 and received a pre-printed application in 2014, you are required to indicate your selection on the 2014 application. You can apply for both activities at the same time by the earliest deadline date (March 17, 2014) or you can complete two separate applications for each fishery, by their respective deadline dates.


Please note if you landed halibut under an IPHC commercial license last year you will again receive a preprinted license application. If you do not receive one by mid-February you should contact us or you may download a blank application from the IPHC website. If you have further questions about these changes, do not hesitate to contact your local state agency or the licensing department at the IPHC (see contact information, left).


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