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ADF&G Releases Subsistence Halibut Harvest Numbers

DILLINGHAM:  The National Marine Fisheries Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game have published a study with the estimated number of subsistence-caught halibut in waters off the coast of Alaska in 2012.

Based on responses to an extensive survey, the study estimated 4705 fishermen caught 38,162 halibut on subsistence gear, totaling 697,656 dressed pounds.

Far and away, the highest numbers of effort and harvest came from Southeast Alaska, with other substantial catches reported around Kodiak.

Bristol Bay subsistence fishermen did not contribute much to the total. Just 10 subsistence halibut registration certificates were fished in 2012, with 34 halibut caught for an estimated 403 dressed pounds.

On this survey, some 2000 sport fishermen reported catching a further 8,200 halibut across the state.