Guided Angler Fish
Alaska’s Halibut fishery is federally managed by NOAA and the International Pacific Halibut Commission. Each year quota is set by these two agencies in what is called The Catch Sharing Program, and allocations are made dividing up the quote between commercial fishing and sport fishing. Guided Angler Fish, or GAF for short, is a program that allows the Alaska Sport Fishing Industry, like Homer Halibut Hunters, to purchase some of the quota that has been allocated to the commercial industry and transfer it to sport fishing.
Catch Sharing Program
The Alaska Catch Sharing Program is a management program for commercial fishing in Alaska that allows fishermen to be allocated a specific percentage of the total allowable catch of a given fishery. The program was implemented in 2007 and is designed to promote sustainable fishing practices and protect the long-term health of Alaska’s fisheries.
Under the program, the total allowable catch of a fishery is divided into individual fishing quotas (IFQs), which are allocated to individual fishermen or fishing groups. These IFQs represent a percentage of the total allowable catch for a particular fishery and can be bought, sold, or leased among fishermen, providing flexibility in the fishing industry.
The program applies to a range of fisheries in Alaska, including groundfish, halibut, and crab, and has been credited with improving the sustainability and economic viability of Alaska’s commercial fishing industry. By providing fishermen with a financial stake in the long-term health of the fishery, the program incentivizes responsible fishing practices and reduces the risk of overfishing.
IFQ's
There are a number of things we can do to help fish survive catch-and-release.
- Minimize handling of fish and release it gently
- If possible, unhook any fish intended for release without removing the fish from the water
- Never lift a fish solely by the tail
- Use circle hooks which release easier and are not swallowed as deeply
It’s estimated that approximately 6% of all released halibut do not survive. With nearly 50% of the caught halibut being released for one reason or another, this 6% is a high number of fish not surviving. We’re happy to follow these best practices to help keep this fishery as healthy and productive as possible.
Sport Charter Allocation
About 50% of all the halibut caught in Alaska’s waters are released for one reason or another. There is a wide variety of reasons for this:
- Fish doesn’t match the regulatory size restrictions. Such as it’s too big or too small
- Not allowed to retain halibut on Wednesdays. Sometimes we catch them while targeting rockfish and they have to be released
- Anglers would like a shot at a larger halibut
Whatever the reason there is really great news. With proper care, handling, and release techniques the survival rate on these fish can be extremely high!
Restricted Fishing Days
There are a number of things we can do to help fish survive catch-and-release.
- Minimize handling of fish and release it gently
- If possible, unhook any fish intended for release without removing the fish from the water
- Never lift a fish solely by the tail
- Use circle hooks which release easier and are not swallowed as deeply
It’s estimated that approximately 6% of all released halibut do not survive. With nearly 50% of the caught halibut being released for one reason or another, this 6% is a high number of fish not surviving. We’re happy to follow these best practices to help keep this fishery as healthy and productive as possible.
GAF Permit Costs
About 50% of all the halibut caught in Alaska’s waters are released for one reason or another. There is a wide variety of reasons for this:
- Fish doesn’t match the regulatory size restrictions. Such as it’s too big or too small
- Not allowed to retain halibut on Wednesdays. Sometimes we catch them while targeting rockfish and they have to be released
- Anglers would like a shot at a larger halibut
Whatever the reason there is really great news. With proper care, handling, and release techniques the survival rate on these fish can be extremely high!
GAF Permit Benefits
There are a number of things we can do to help fish survive catch-and-release.
- Minimize handling of fish and release it gently
- If possible, unhook any fish intended for release without removing the fish from the water
- Never lift a fish solely by the tail
- Use circle hooks which release easier and are not swallowed as deeply
It’s estimated that approximately 6% of all released halibut do not survive. With nearly 50% of the caught halibut being released for one reason or another, this 6% is a high number of fish not surviving. We’re happy to follow these best practices to help keep this fishery as healthy and productive as possible.
More Information
If you’d like more information about The Every Halibut Counts Program as as well so additional information about halibut in general, check out the Alaska Department of Fish And Game article regarding every halibut counts.