8/8/13 ACTION NOTICE (1 of 3): NOAA Fisheries in consultation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, representatives from the commercial troll fishery, and the Pacific Fishery Management Council, has taken in-season action to close the incidental troll halibut fishery.

ACTION TAKEN: Effective Thursday, August 8 at 11:59PM; the commercial troll salmon incidental Pacific halibut landing and possession will be prohibited for all vessels fishing North of Cape Falcon. For vessels fishing South of Cape Falcon, the fishery will continue through Saturday, August 10 at 11:59PM, however landing and/or possession of any Pacific halibut is prohibited after that time. Holders of International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) troll salmon incidental fishery licenses are limited to 5 halibut per trip within IPHC area 2A and South of Cape Falcon. Troll fishers continue to be limited to no more than one Pacific halibut for each three Chinook per trip, except that one Pacific halibut may be possessed or landed without meeting the ratio requirement.

RATIONALE: Approximately 400 lbs. remain on the troll salmon incidental quota of Pacific halibut. Landings in the South of Cape Falcon area have averaged less than 200 lbs. per week in most weeks this year. As the South of Cape Falcon fishery was already in progress, vessels may already have Pacific halibut on board, and the allowance of landings through Saturday night provides a more orderly close to the fishery in this area. All Pacific halibut are required to be landed and delivered by 11:59PM Saturday, August 10.