Home

2007 Halibut Summary

2006 Halibut Summary

2005 Halibut Summary

2004 Halibut Summary

2003 Halibut Sumary

Summary of Pacific Halibut Fisheries Management in 2004
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Intergovernmental Resource Management

48 Devonshire Road
Montesano, Washington 98563

The purpose of this report is to summarize the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) management and enforcement activities in 2004 Pacific halibut fisheries. It includes a synopsis of Washington’s recreational catch (coastal and Puget Sound), and a description of the results of the incidental halibut catch in the sablefish fishery north of Point Chehalis. A summary of WDFW’s enforcement efforts relative to patrolling the North Coast (Neah Bay and La Push) recreational halibut fisheries is contained in Appendix A.

Washington’s Recreational Halibut Fisheries in 2004

Washington’s halibut fisheries are managed under the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan for Area 2A. The catch sharing plan specifies how the Area 2A total allowable catch (TAC) as defined by IPHC is allocated or “shared” among various state commercial and recreational sectors. For Washington, WDFW manages its recreational fisheries by subarea. These subareas are:

1. Puget Sound (inside waters east of the Sekiu River, including Puget Sound)

• Eastern Region (inner Sound waters east of Low Point)
• Western Region (Strait waters west of Low Point)

2. North Coast (waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca west of the Sekiu River and Pacific Ocean waters south to the Queets River)

3. South Coast (Pacific Ocean waters south of the Queets River to Leadbetter Point)

4. Columbia River (Pacific Ocean waters south of Leadbetter Point to Cape Falcon, Oregon)

A summary of Washington’s recreational halibut seasons for 2004 is described in Table 1.

Table 1.
Sub-Area	Quota (lbs)	Catch (lbs)	Avg Wt (lbs)	Season Dates
Puget Sound	76,220	49,600	22.7	East - May 6-July 24 West - May 27-Aug 14
North Coast	126,857	124,229	21.1	(May) 24.2 (June) May 11-20; May 29; June 15-19
South Coast	61,565	62,823	18.2	May 2-July 3
Columbia River	14,241	7,531*	16.9	May 1-July 18
* Columbia River harvest is Washington catch only.

Halibut are measured at the dock and the lengths of the samples are then converted to weights. Lengths are taken throughout the season on a weekly basis and applied to the number of halibut caught to project the total catch in pounds.

Coastal Recreational Fisheries

The primary coastal recreational fishery management challenge WDFW is facing is with regard to the North Coast (Neah Bay and La Push) subarea and its short season. There has been a significant increase in fishing effort in this area over the past few years, resulting in earlier quota attainment. In 2001, the North Coast halibut season lasted a total of 29 days—in 2004, it was less than half that amount at 14 days long. The Department sponsored a recreational halibut meeting to develop and discuss management tools for the North Coast halibut fishery in late November. The meeting attendees tentatively decided to not adopt any regulatory changes for the 2005 season, but proposed options for implementation in 2006. These options include setting weekly and/or annual bag limits, adopting a maximum size limit, and reducing the number of days open per week.

The Department will have another meeting to further discuss these options in early January, and plans to finalize the options by July 2005. The final proposals will then be considered as part of the process to consider annual changes to the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Halibut Catch Sharing Plan.

Puget Sound Recreational Catch Estimate

The Department manages the Puget Sound halibut fishery based on “fishing equivalent days” (FEDs). We apply the highest catch per FED for the previous five years (which, for the 2004 calculation, occurred in 2003) to determine the total amount of FEDs that will be available in the following season. In projecting the season length, a weekday is equivalent to one FED, while weekends and holidays are 2.5 FEDs. Using this method, the amount of FEDs available for the 2004 fishery was 97.

As WDFW does not have sufficient funding to implement an intensive sampling strategy that would allow us to monitor and manage the Puget Sound halibut catch inseason, we rely on the FED method described above to determine fishing dates preseason. We then follow-up with a post-season catch estimate. From 2001-2003, we used the results from a post-season telephone survey of licensed anglers who held catch record cards (which are required to fish for halibut in Puget Sound) to calculate a catch estimate. This telephone survey was costly and usually resulted in a catch estimate that relied on the expansion of very few fish.

Beginning in 2004, WDFW employed a new methodology to calculate the Puget Sound catch estimate, using a telephone survey of marine anglers to estimate effort, and creel surveys of anglers to estimate the catch per angler-trip. This method produced a catch estimate of 2,185 halibut; multiplied by the average weight (22.7 lbs) results in a total estimated catch of 49,600 lbs. The division of this catch between the two regions is:

• Eastern Region – 1,269 fish (28,806 lbs)
• Western Region – 916 fish (20,793 lbs)

A detailed description of the new catch estimation methodology and the resulting catch by area is contained in Appendix B.

Canadian Halibut Landed Into Neah Bay

As part of WDFW’s port sampling efforts for recreational halibut fisheries, we also sample the halibut caught in Canadian waters and landed into Neah Bay. Table 2. is a weekly catch summary of Canadian halibut brought into Neah Bay by charter and private vessels (in numbers of fish).

Table 2.
Week	Charter			Private			Total
	Number of Boats	Number of Anglers	Number of Halibut	Number of Boats	Number of Anglers	Number of Halibut	Number of Boats	Number of Anglers	Number of Halibut
4/12-4/18	0	0	0	2	3	7	2	3	7
4/19-4/25	0	0	0	1	4	1	1	4	1
4/26-5/2	11	95	189	12	31	52	23	126	241
5/3-5/9	14	132	251	23	63	95	37	195	346
5/10-5/16	6	44	93	41	144	239	47	188	332
5/17-5/23	13	122	238	37	126	180	50	248	418
5/24-5/30	31	289	567	69	222	330	100	511	897
5/31-6/6	27	232	458	39	101	114	66	333	572
6/7-6/13	27	246	491	41	138	166	68	384	657
6/14-6/20	20	228	444	83	260	467	103	488	911
6/21-6/27	32	341	675	69	205	300	101	546	975
6/28-7/4	3	27	53	116	355	523	119	382	576
7/5-7/11	5	35	70	111	332	510	116	367	580
7/12-7/18	5	62	122	101	294	442	106	356	564
7/19-7/25	1	7	13	75	218	328	76	225	341
7/26-8/1	7	54	104	72	207	309	79	261	413
8/2-8/8	10	82	150	105	307	520	115	389	670
8/9-8/15	2	18	34	54	193	279	56	211	313
8/16-8/22	3	30	30	57	151	117	60	181	147
8/23-8/29	0	0	0	33	72	62	33	72	62
8/30-9/5	0	0	0	80	243	261	80	243	261
9/6-9/12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9/13-9/19	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9/20-9/26	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9/26-9/30	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
TOTAL	217	2,044	3,982	1,219	3,666	5,295	1,436	5,710	9,277

 

Using the average weight from the U.S. fish landed into the North Coast subarea in 2004 (21.63 lbs) and applying it to the Canadian catch landed into Neah Bay, produces a catch estimate of 200,662 lbs.

Table 3. is a comparison of the Canadian halibut catch landed into Neah Bay in 2000-2004. The total catch in pounds is calculated using the average weight for the U.S. fish landed into the North Coast subarea for each respective year.

Table 3.
Year	Number of Boats	Number of Anglers	Number of Halibut	Avg Wt (lbs)	Total lbs
2004	1,375	5,385	9,277	21.63	200,662
2003	1,555	6,089	10,805	20.03	216,424
2002	1,328	5,361	9,027	19.47	175,756
2001	1,594	6,202	9,716	19.24	186,936
2000	2,007	6,857	10,088	20.80	209,830

Incidental Halibut Catch in the Sablefish Fishery North of Point Chehalis, WA

The 2A Halibut Catch Sharing Plan provides for incidental landings of halibut in the primary longline sablefish fishery north of Pt. Chehalis, Washington, in years when the Area 2A TAC is greater than 900,000 lbs. Beginning in 2003, the Pacific Council revised its Catch Sharing Plan to cap the amount of halibut allowed in the directed sablefish fishery at 70,000 lbs. The remaining allocation was transferred back to the Washington recreational fishery and divided among the subareas according to the method described in the Plan. For the 2004 season, the Council adopted a landing ratio of 100 lbs. of halibut for every 1,000 lbs. of sablefish (both dressed weight). The sablefish fishery extends from April 1 through October 31 with associated halibut landings allowed beginning in May. Fishers were also allowed up to two additional halibut per fishing trip to provide some flexibility in complying with the regulation.

Thirty individual vessels made a total of 148 landings containing halibut in the directed sablefish fishery. The average amount of sablefish in these landings was 8,549 lbs. and the average amount of halibut was 521 lbs. (both dressed, halibut with head on). This represents an average of approximately 60% of the amount of halibut that could have been legally retained under the regulation. Only 17 of the 148 landings contained incidental halibut at 90% or more of the amount allowed by regulation. Therefore, the halibut:sablefish landing ratio established by the Council appears to do a reasonable job of accommodating the incidental catch in the fishery. The total catch of dressed, head-off halibut in the sablefish fishery was 67,837 lbs. which is 97% of the established quota.

Summary

For 2005, WDFW had proposed a few changes to the Pacific Council’s Catch Sharing Plan; following our public review process, these changes were not supported for final adoption. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife did propose a couple of changes to the Columbia River subarea, which will affect Washington fishers next year. These changes include attributing more quota from the Oregon/California recreational allocation to the Columbia River area (to equal the amount contributed by Washington), and removing the 32-inch minimum size limit.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to continue to monitor and sample our recreational and commercial fisheries, including the amount of halibut caught in Canadian waters and landed into Neah Bay; take a precautionary approach when setting our Puget Sound season, and use the new methodology (combined phone survey and creel surveys) to calculate our post-season catch estimate; maintain our enforcement efforts during the halibut recreational fisheries; and monitor the efforts to document halibut bycatch in the West Coast trawl fisheries and recommend appropriate action through the Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Appendix A.

WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

Statewide Marine Patrol Division
The following is a summary of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Enforcement Program efforts relative to patrolling the North Coast recreational halibut fisheries. Protection responsibilities for all living resources in marine environments are assigned to the Statewide Marine Patrol Division.

While halibut directed patrols are outlined below, additional uniformed officer presence occurred on halibut grounds and in associated ports during the coastal recreational salmon season (June 27 through mid- to late September).

During all of their patrol activities, enforcement officers did not witness any incidents of: (1) Fishing in U.S. waters during the closed season; and (2) claims of fishing in Canadian waters without being able to produce a Canadian recreational fishing license.

Summary of Directed Halibut Patrols
In 2004, WDFW Officers expended 850.5 hours (including 586 hours at sea) enforcing recreational groundfish and halibut regulations, and conducted 2,949 enforcement contacts relative to recreational groundfish and halibut fisheries.

Aside from routine patrol, several emphasis patrols occurred. WDFW Marine Division Officers embarked on “Operation Orange Crush” in May, a four-day emphasis patrol along the North Coast. The primary goal was to enforce yelloweye and canary rockfish closures during the halibut season opener and to monitor bycatch of these species. Five teams of Officers on patrol vessels participated. Specific infractions from “Orange Crush” include 10 citations for exceeding the halibut daily bag limit and 7 violations of fishing without a license. An undercover component directed patrol activity from an unmarked vessel. Agency aircraft gave special emphasis to patrolling the “C-shaped” yelloweye rockfish conservation area; however, no incursions were detected.

In another emphasis patrol conducted on August 14-15, 2004, fifteen Officers participated in five separate boat patrols over a two-day period in three Coastal Marine Areas with the intent to enforce recreational halibut and groundfish rules. Officers expended 163 officer hours during this event in order to contact 308 anglers and took enforcement action on 24 violations.

Appendix B.

THE RECREATIONAL FISHERY FOR PACIFIC HALIBUT IN PUGET SOUND, WASHINGTON DURING 2004 by WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE FISH PROGRAM

December 2004

Introduction
During 2004, major changes were made in the procedures used to estimate the halibut catch in Puget Sound by recreational anglers. In previous years, catch estimates had been based on the results from a phone survey of holders of catch record cards in Washington. Because of the large number of Catch Record Cards issued annually and the relatively small number of halibut caught, this method was inefficient and the results were suspect.

In 2004, the halibut catch estimates are based on two data sources. Phone surveys of marine anglers were used to estimate fishing effort and secondly, intercept (creel) surveys of anglers as they returned from fishing were used to estimate the catch per angler-trip and obtain biological data on landed halibut. Catch estimates are presented in numbers of halibut with the percent standard error for the estimate (PSE). The numbers are converted to weight to estimate the total weight of halibut retained in Puget Sound during 2004.

The estimate of the retained catch of halibut in 2004 in Puget Sound is 2,185 halibut (12.5% PSE) taken in the private/ rental boat mode. An additional 275 halibut were captured and released (38.1% PSE) in the same MCAs and fishing mode. No halibut are estimated to have been taken in the charter boat fishery in 2004 in Puget Sound.

The average dressed weight for halibut observed was 22.7 pounds. The total estimated catch of the fishery during 2004 was 49,600 pounds of halibut.

Description of Puget Sound
For fishery management and catch estimation needs, Puget Sound is divided into a series of areas called Marine Catch Areas (MCAs). In Puget Sound, there are ten MCAs.

Halibut fishing regulations
The season was open from May 27 to August 14 in MCA 5 and from May 6 to July 24 in all other MCAs in Puget Sound, except MCA 12 (Hood Canal). During 2004, MCA 12 was closed to recreational fishing for halibut, due to low levels of dissolved oxygen.

In all areas, fishing was closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the open season. The daily bag limit was one halibut with no size limit.

General Methods
Intercept survey-The Puget Sound Sampling Project (PSSP) collected catch per angler trip during regular creel surveys. Data are collected for trips made by anglers in private/rental boats or on charter boats only. Sites and days to be sampled are chosen based on the expected effort at a site, the season (fishery openings), type of day (weekend or weekday) and time of year. At each site, the sampler attempts to intercept all anglers as they return to port and inspects the angler’s catch determining the species retained and number of fish. The sampler also records MCA in which the fish were reported to be caught, the numbers and species of released fish, and other pertinent information. In some cases, a sampler was not present for the entire sampling day. On days with exceptionally high fishing effort, some anglers may not be intercepted by WDFW sampling staff. A summary of the intercept sampling results is presented in Table 1.

Telephone survey-Phone surveys of marine anglers were conducted every two months (wave). Licensed anglers were contacted and asked to report the number of trips and trip-specific details for all trips they made in the previous two-month wave. Trip details included the date of the trip, the fishing mode and gear, the MCA fished and the specific site the angler returned to upon completing their trip. This last piece of information indicates the creel location the angler would have been intercepted at by the PSSP sampling staff, hence the MCA of intercept. Details of the phone surveys are presented in Table 2.

Results
Using the results of the telephone survey, the mean number of trips made per angler was expanded by the total number of anglers in WA, partitioned into estimates for wave, MCA of intercept and day type. The total number of anglers was estimated as the number of licensed anglers expanded to account for the unlicensed anglers. The expansion factor was the ratio of licensed anglers to total anglers encountered during creel surveys conducted during the wave (again stratified by intercept MCA, month, and day type).

Table 2: Phone Survey Summary Statistics
Wave	Number Anglers Contacted (Sampling Rate)	Percent of Contacts that Fished	Total Trips Reported During Survey	Primary Target Species (% Trips)	Percent Trips Targeting Halibut
January – February	1,003 (0.39%)	4.2%	115	Salmon (75%)	0.9% (all BB mode)
March – April	1,009 (0.35%)	4.7%	128	Salmon (38%)	14% (all PR mode)
May – June	1,702 (0.86%)	21.3%	1,045	Salmon (26%)	14% (all PR mode)
July – August	1,700 (0.62%)	34.3%	2,046	Salmon (80%)	0.8% (all PR mode)

Catch was estimated as the product of angler trips and catch per trip (by species and MCA of harvest) within each MCA of intercept, month, and day type. These catch estimates were summed within each MCA of harvest for each species to produce a total harvest by MCA. Variances and percent standard errors (PSEs) were estimated using standard methods. Halibut catch estimates for 2004 are presented in Tables 3 and 4.

In some cases an angler did not recall during their phone interview where they returned or what month or day type they fished. The mean CPUE over the nearest stratum was used to account for catch taken during those trips. If an angler did not recall what site they returned to after fishing, we assumed that they fished and returned to port in the same MCA.

Table 4: Catch Estimates (Released Estimates) by MCA and Month. Blanks indicate that halibut were not detected.
Month	MCA 5	MCA 6	MCA 7	MCA 8-2	MCA 11	Total
January
February	(4.0)	(9.0)	(7.3)			(20.3)
March	(2.5)	(11.1)				(13.6)
April	(1.5)	1.7 (102.7)				1.7(104.1)
May	470.1 (55.3)	725.6 (13.6)	36.6 (3.7)			1232.3 (72.7)
June	97.2 (14.7)	337.4 (3.5)	20.8 ( )			455.4 (18.2)
July	242.4 (3.9)	142.9 (10.8)		(12.5)		385.3 (27.3)
August	106.2 (10.4)	(0.3)			(8.3)	106.2 (18.9)
Unknown		3.6 ( )			(0.1)	3.6 (0.1)
Total Harvested	916.0	1211.1	57.4	ND	ND	2184.5
Total Released	89.8	142.5	22.1	12.5	8.3	275.2

Biological sampling
During 2004, the intercept survey program encountered 734 halibut during its operations. Of these, a total of 542 halibut were measured (Figure 1). Survey staff were instructed to measure a random sample of the halibut encountered. The lengths were converted to weights using a standard length-weight relationship provided by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (W = 6.921 * 10-6*L 3.24).

Figure 1. Length frequency of halibut measured in Puget Sound during 2004

There was an apparent trend in declining average weight during 2004 (Table 5).

Charter boat halibut fishery
There were no halibut-targeted trips in the charter boat fishing mode reported during the phone survey. Additionally the creel survey program did not intercept any halibut in the charter boat fishing mode. However, the creel survey program did interview unsuccessful halibut anglers in the charter boat mode. As a result, the estimated catch of halibut in the charter boat mode is zero even though some fishing effort did occur.

Conclusion
Implementation of the new survey techniques went well in 2004. All of the data elements collected in earlier surveys were collected this year. Additionally we were able to gather quantitative information on the number of halibut discarded in Puget Sound. The new survey technique seems to offer considerable financial savings by eliminating special phone survey for halibut fishing.

It is somewhat surprising that no halibut were estimated to have been caught in the charter boat segment of the recreational fishery. While previous surveys have indicated that charter boat fishing is a small component of the harvest, we had expected to detect some halibut in this fishery. The effort may have been sufficiently low that our phone survey could not detect it.

The estimates contained in this report appear to be reasonable and we recommend their acceptance and use in fishery management and stock assessment.