APPENDIX III APPENDIX III 
of fish taken in the sport catch on the entire west coast 
was: 
California and Oregon 1,000 
Washington 2,500 
British Columbia 5,000 
Alaska 10,000 
Total 18,500 
Because of data limitations, 20,000 fish,- or 250,000 
pounds, has been proposed as the best estimate of the annual 
catch in recent years. 
Before 1973 all fishing for halibut, including recrea- 
tional and personal use, was governed by commercial fishing 
regulations. The International Pacific Halibut Commission 
was urged by Federal and State agencies to officially recog- 
nize the sport fishery as the sport catch increased and 
enforcement became more difficult. Therefore, in January 
1973 the International Pacific Halibut Commission adopted 
sport regulations which were subsequently approved by the 
Federal Government. The 1975 regulations, including changes, 
provided for an open season which began on March 1 and ended 
on October 31. The daily "bag and possession limit" was two 
fish. Fishing gear was limited to hand-held rod or line 
and spear. 
Effect on regional economy 
Although we could find no specific information on the 
economic effect of the halibut fishery, the following facts 
indicate its regional importance. 
=—The vast Majority Of all halibut caught-by Uns 
fishermen in 1974 was landed at Alaskan ports. 
Landings at these ports accounted for all but 1.2 
million pounds of the 13.9 million pounds (evis- 
cerated, decapitated weight) of Pacific halibut. 
--Value of the 1974 U.S. halibut catch was $9.4 million. 
—-In U974 the U.S. srilsheny bad. l54 regular halibut 
vessels which employed about 628 men. Many more 
small vessels have joined the fishery in recent 
years. 
In addition to the direct economic effect caused by 
landing of halibut at Alaskan ports, the secondary effect of 
wholesalers, retailers, and shipbuilding and overhaul facil- 
ities in other west coast cities must be considered. 
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