Local Halibut Fishery

The local halibut fishery is a major source of employment, income, and subsistence for the community and our members.  Compared to CBSFA’s other groundfish allocations, halibut can be harvested with small boats and provides an opportunity for income to be earned directly by CBSFA members.  In addition to providing harvesting opportunities for the local fleet through its CDQ halibut allocation, CBSFA also provides support services for the fishermen through its Local Fleet Support Program, and has worked closely with Trident Seafoods to provide halibut processing services. 

 

In 2003, CBSFA created the CBSFA Halibut Cooperative (CBSFA Co-op) and began purchasing halibut from the local fleet with the goal of providing a competitive ex-vessel price.  2018 marks the 15th year since the CBSFA Co-op was created.  Since inception, the CBSFA Co-op has paid out over $40 million dollars of income to the local fishermen, and the fishermen have landed nearly 8.5 million pounds of halibut! 

 

CBSFA operates the local halibut fishery in conjunction with the local fishermen, Saint Boats LLC (F/V Saint Paul and F/V Saint Peter), and Trident Seafoods.  CBSFA purchases the halibut from the local fleet and partners with Trident Seafoods to process and market the fish.  Any CDQ not able to be caught by the local fleet is leased to our own boats, the F/V Saint Paul and F/V Saint Peter, if they are available at the end of the season. 

 

 

The Area 4C catch limit for 2017 increased by 2% over 2016.  CBSFA’s CDQ halibut allocation was 319,600 pounds and locally held IFQ’s were around 108,000 pounds.  Local landings totaled 419,100 pounds, including 100,332 pounds of locally held IFQ - total landings increased by 35,640 pounds over 2016.  The base price was set at $5.75 and a retroactive price adjustment was paid out following the close of the season, resulting in the final 2017 ex-vessel price of $5.95.  In total, $2.4 million was paid to the local fishermen.  This amount is among the highest the fishermen have been paid in recent years, but is slightly below the long-term average.

 

The 2018 fishing season began on June 27th with a posted ex-vessel price of $4.25/lb.  CBSFA’s CDQ allocation is 311,738 pounds, 2.2% lower than the 2017 allocation.  The 2018 base price is notably lower than the 2017 final price, reflecting a softer halibut market, so total income for the local fleet may be lower than last year.  A retroactive price adjustment may be paid out depending on halibut market conditions. 

 

Since 2011, Area 4C catch limits have been reduced by as much as 65% and while we have seen some stabilization in the past couple of years, the cuts have been significant for the local fleet. These cuts are largely attributed to the results of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) stock assessment and the impact of halibut bycatch mortality on both the

 

stock and IPHC catch limit accounting.  The most recent IPHC stock assessments have shown a continued decline in the available halibut resource in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) and projections of incoming recruits are concerning. 

 

Again, the local halibut fishery is a significant part of our community’s economy.  CBSFA and other Saint Paul entities have been continuously addressing the halibut concerns and are heavily involved in the IPHC and North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) processes.  We intend to maintain our efforts toward further reductions in halibut bycatch and will be actively involved in developments to equitably allocate the halibut resource. While there is still uncertainty and much work to be done, we hope that these developments help halibut stocks remain healthy and viable for the future.