Commercial fishing for sablefish opens on April 15 in Prince William Sound, with a guideline harvest level (GHL) of 269,000 pounds, with fishing to occur only in the Inside District from April 15 through Aug. 31.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) officials noted that the GHL is calculated by applying the relative change between the prior and current year of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Gulf of Alaska sablefish acceptable biological catch, derived from NMFS stock assessment surveys.
The fishery is managed by quota allocations among vessel size permit classes.
As of the close of registration on Monday, 56 permits were registered.
Harvesters are reminded that log sheets must be completed and returned within seven days after each landing with the corresponding fish ticket for that trip.
Six-hour prior notice of landing for sablefish is required by calling 907-424-7225 and reporting the vessel name and ADF&G number, date and location of landing, estimated time of arrival, buyer or processor, estimated number of pounds of sablefish on board, and whether the fish is dressed or whole.
For further information contact ADF&G in Homer at 907-235-8191.
