According to IPHC they will begin tagging halibut in Regulatory Area 2B using externally-mounted electronic archival tags. It is told that a total of 162 halibut will be tagged in three general regions: near Langara Island in the Queen Charlottes, south of Cape St. James, and west-central Vancouver Island. IPHC said that the tags are new and unique as the body of the tag is a cylinder approximately 7.5 centimeters long and 1.5 centimeters in diameter and attaches near the dorsal fin on the eyed-side of the fish via a plastic “cradle”, piercing wires, and a plastic backing plate on the blind-side.
IPHC informed that the electronic archival tags record depth and temperature experienced by the fish; the tags must be recaptured and the tag returned to IPHC in order to download the data. It further adds that the data will be used to help define seasonal migration periods and active spawning season, aiding in discussions of appropriate season-opening dates and potential season extension.
As per the commission the fishermen should retain all tagged halibut regardless of gear type used, time of year caught, or size of halibut. It said that a $500 reward will be given for the return of tag body. In addition, fishers who hold fishing quota should be aware that the weight of archivally-tagged fish should NOT be deducted from the fisher’s allotted halibut quota because the tag-mount may prompt the buyer to “#2” the fish.
The commission also said that if a tagged sublegal fish is recovered by a commercial fisher, it is legal to retain these fish as long as the tag remains in place for inspection by an IPHC port sampler, or an authorized officer.
