Halibut catch daily limit increases

Daily halibut catch limits have been increased for recreational anglers, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced, on Sept. 10.

Prince Rupert recreational anglers may now catch up to one halibut measuring 90 cm. to 133 cm. or measuring 69 cm. to 102 cm. with the head removed, or up to three halibut measuring under 90 cm. in length, or under 69 cm. without the head.

“It’s a huge deal. There’s a lot of halibut consumed in this town,” David Lewis, Prince Rupert committee chair for the Sport Fishing Advisory Board, said. “A lot of people in this town hunt and fish for sustenance. They eat what they catch [and] they eat what they hunt. So, this helps put food on the table.”

The monthly catch data has shown that recreational fishing intake is “not even close” to the total allowable catch in 2021, Lewis said. The increase is great news because without it a lot of fish would be left in the water. They may now be caught and stored as food in the freezer, he said.

Individuals are limited to catching and possessing a total of 10 halibut from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

Under the 2021/2002 Tidal Waters Sport Finishing Licence, anglers must immediately record all halibut caught and kept.

“Head-off measurements are made from the base of the pectoral fin at its most forward point to the extreme end of the middle of the tail,” DFO stated.

Retaining halibut measuring over 133 cm is prohibited.

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