The Seattle-based Fishing Vessel Owners' Association has submitted an intriguing proposal to reduce the minimum size requirement for commercially caught halibut from 32 inches to 30 inches.
The proposal will be up for consideration at the Jan. 26-30 meeting of the International Pacific Halibut Commission.
FVOA is a major player in Alaska's halibut fishery, representing a large number of commercial longliners. Its manager, Bob Alverson, is one of the three U.S. members on the halibut commission.
The FVOA proposal is signed by the group's president, Per Odegaard.
The proposal explains that retaining more small halibut, rather than releasing them, could substantially reduce handling and "wastage" in the fishery.
FVOA is asking the commission to review the proposal for possible implementation in 2015.
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