The Alaska Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), is conducting an experiment on halibut using satellite pop-up tags. A total of 10 fish have been released to the wild with the tags in place. The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) and National Marine Fisheries Service will allow the retention and/or sale of legal-sized (greater than 32 inches) satellite tagged halibut without the fisher incurring a debit from his or her individual fishing quota account. The tagged fish, if legal-sized, must still be weighed and recorded on an Alaska Department of Fish and Game fish ticket. Through IPHC endorsement of this program, any sub-legal sized halibut can also be landed legally but not sold (IPHC 2001 Regulations, Section 20).
The tagging of these fish was authorized under a permit issued by the IPHC on July 24, 2000. The USGS web site has additional information about this project.
This information bulletin only provides notice of a scientific research program. For the purposes of complying with halibut regulations, you are advised to see the actual text of the regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations.
IB 01-45: Waiver of Halibut IFQ Debit for Landing of Halibut Tagged with Satellite Pop-Up Tags
May 01, 2001 - 8:15 a.m.
Notice of a fishery management action.
