CDFW Newshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/NewsRecreational Pacific Halibut Fishery Set to Open May 1https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/recreational-pacific-halibut-fishery-set-to-open-may-1MarineWed, 19 Apr 2023 12:49:37 GMTThe California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce the 2023 recreational Pacific halibut fishery will open Monday, May 1 and remain open seven days per week until Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is pleased to announce the 2023 recreational Pacific halibut fishery will open Monday, May 1 and remain open seven days per week until Nov. 15 or until the quota is reached, whichever is earlier. The 2023 Pacific halibut quota for the California subarea is 39,540 pounds – approximately the same as the 2022 quota.</p> <p>CDFW’s recommended season dates were informed by a scoping process that included an online angler survey conducted earlier this year. The open dates are not guaranteed days, and the season could be closed early if it is determined that projected catches will exceed the California quota.</p> <p>Anglers are always advised to check for updated information when planning a Pacific halibut fishing trip. Season dates, bag/possession limits and gear restrictions can be found on CDFW’s <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/conservation/marine/pacific-halibut">Pacific halibut web page</a>. Public notification of any in-season change to regulations is made through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Pacific halibut hotline at (800) 662-9825 or CDFW’s Pacific halibut Regulations Hotline at (831) 649-2801.</p> <p>State regulations for Pacific halibut automatically conform to federal regulations set by NMFS using the process described in the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1.95. Federal regulations for Pacific halibut took effect April 6, 2023 and were published in the Federal Register (88 FR 21503) on April 11, 2023. </p> <p>###</p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts:</strong><br /> <a href="mailto:Melanie.Parker@wildlife.ca.gov">Melanie Parker</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (831) 601-5928<br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p> CDFW Seeks Input on Pacific Halibut Fisherieshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-seeks-input-on-pacific-halibut-fisheriesMarineFri, 03 Feb 2023 12:22:09 GMTCalifornia stakeholders who are interested in the Pacific halibut resource and fisheries are invited to participate in an online survey.<p>California stakeholders who are interested in the Pacific halibut resource and fisheries are invited to participate in an online survey. The survey will help inform the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) about angler preferences for open fishing dates during the upcoming 2023 recreational season and offers an opportunity for input on development of the 2024 Catch Sharing Plan that is used to allocate quota to several West Coast fisheries. Results of the survey will be used to develop recommendations to the Pacific Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service. The survey is available until February 12, 2023, and can be found online: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DDYWDGP" target="_blank">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DDYWDGP</a>.</p> <p>The recreational Pacific halibut fishery takes place off northern California. In 2022, the fishery was open May 1 through Aug. 7, with a one fish daily bag limit. The fishery closed Aug. 7 due to projected attainment of the quota. The 2023 California recreational Pacific halibut quota will be 39,520 net pounds, approximately the same as all prior years since 2019.</p> <p>For more information on the Pacific halibut fishery in California, visit CDFW’s <a href="/Conservation/Marine/Pacific-Halibut">Pacific Halibut web page</a>.</p> <p><strong>Media contacts</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:Melanie.Parker@wildlife.ca.gov">Melanie Parker</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (831) 601-5928<br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</p> <p>###</p> Recreational Pacific Halibut Fishery to Close August 7https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/recreational-pacific-halibut-fishery-to-close-august-7SpeciesThu, 04 Aug 2022 16:01:29 GMTCDFW has announced the recreational Pacific halibut fishery will close Sunday, Aug. 7 at 11:59 p.m. Based on the latest catch projections, CDFW expects the 2022 California recreational quota of 38,740 net pounds will be exceeded unless the fishery is closed.<p>The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced the recreational Pacific halibut fishery will close Sunday, August 7 at 11:59 p.m. Based on the latest catch projections, CDFW expects the 2022 California recreational quota of 38,740 net pounds will be exceeded unless the fishery is closed.</p> <p>CDFW tracks the progress of the fishery each year to prevent catch from exceeding the California quota. CDFW field staff are located at public launch ramps and charter boat landings to monitor catches of Pacific halibut throughout the season, along with other marine sport fish species. The quota amount is determined annually by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC).</p> <p>Using this information, CDFW conferred with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the IPHC and the Pacific Fishery Management Council to review projected catch amounts and determine the closure date. Formal authority to close the fishery resides with NMFS, which took action to close the fishery following consultation with CDFW.</p> <p>Pacific halibut are a different species than California halibut and occupy a large geographic range from the Aleutian Islands eastward through Alaska to British Columbia and throughout ocean waters of the Pacific Northwest. Along the West Coast, Pacific halibut are commonly found as far south as Point Arena in Mendocino County.</p> <p>For current information about the Pacific halibut fishery, science or management, please check the following resources:</p> <ul> <li>NMFS Hotline, (800) 662-9825</li> <li>CDFW Recreational Groundfish Regulations Hotline, (831) 649-2801</li> <li>CDFW website, <a href="/Conservation/Marine/Pacific-Halibut">wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Pacific-Halibut</a></li> <li>IPHC website, <a href="https://iphc.int/" target="_blank">iphc.int</a></li> </ul> <p><strong>Media Contacts</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:melanie.parker@wildlife.ca.gov">Melanie Parker</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (831) 601-5928<br /> <a href="mailto:jordan.traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</p> CDFW Seeks Input on 2022 Recreational Pacific Halibut Season Dateshttps://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/cdfw-seeks-input-on-2022-recreational-pacific-halibut-season-datesMarineTue, 01 Feb 2022 08:51:58 GMTCalifornia anglers who are interested in the recreational Pacific halibut fishery are invited to participate in an online survey that will help inform the CDFW about angler preferences for open fishing dates during the upcoming 2022 season.<p>California anglers who are interested in the recreational Pacific halibut fishery are invited to participate in an <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RNDCG2S" target="_blank">online survey</a> that will help inform the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) about angler preferences for open fishing dates during the upcoming 2022 season. It also offers an opportunity to provide other comments or recommendations to CDFW on Pacific halibut.</p> <p>Results of the survey will be used to develop recommended California season dates that will be provided to the National Marine Fisheries Service. The survey (<a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RNDCG2S" target="_blank">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RNDCG2S</a>) is available until Feb. 18, 2022.</p> <p>The Pacific halibut fishery takes place off northern California and the 2022 quota will be approximately 39,000 net pounds, the same as the last three years.</p> <p>For more information on the Pacific halibut fishery in California, please visit CDFW’s <a href="/Conservation/Marine/Pacific-Halibut">Pacific halibut webpage.</a></p> <p><em><strong>Media Contacts</strong>:<br /> <a href="mailto:Melanie.Parker@wildlife.ca.gov">Melanie Parker</a>, CDFW Marine Region, (831) 601-5928<br /> <a href="mailto:Jordan.Traverso@wildlife.ca.gov">Jordan Traverso</a>, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352</em></p>