Commercial halibut season dates have fluctuated somewhat in recent years.
This year, the season opened March 24 and will close Nov. 7.
Last year, the season ran from March 11 to Nov. 7.
Now, the staff of the International Pacific Halibut Commission is proposing to
fix the season dates from March 15 to Oct. 31.
"Fixing the season will allow stakeholders to more effectively develop business plans and will allow the IPHC Secretariat to more effectively monitor and manage the fishery," the IPHC says.
This change appears to have only limited support within the industry.
Earlier this year, the IPHC's Processor Advisory Board said it was OK with fixing the closing date to Nov. 1.
But the advisory board said the opening date should "remain flexible and be determined ... based on advice from stakeholders and depending on the amount of frozen product in inventory, the timing of the Boston Seafood Show, regional tides, and potential weather concerns."
The IPHC is set to hold its interim meeting Nov. 27-28 in Seattle.