Summary of Oregon Sardine Landings, 2008

At the November Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting, the 2008 harvest guideline (HG) for Pacific sardines was established at 89,093 metric tons (mt) for the fishing year beginning January 1, 2008. Also, an incidental catch set aside of 10% (8,909 mt) of the HG was established to prevent premature closures of other coastal pelagic species (CPS) fisheries. Furthermore, incidental catch set aside amounts for each seasonal period were created based on historical landings of sardine catch in other CPS fisheries such as squid and anchovy. Therefore the directed sardine fishery will operate under an Adjusted Allocation of 80,184 mt (see table below).

If the incidental set aside is not fully attained or is exceeded in a given allocation period, the National Marine Fisheries Service may adjust the directed harvest allocation to account for the discrepancy for the next allocation period as an automatic action.

For example, if the directed commercial sardine harvest is attained and other CPS fisheries achieve their incidental set aside, retention of sardines may be prohibited. If a set aside amount is not used it may be rolled into the next seasonal period Adjusted Allocation. Please note that adjusted allocations in the table below are subject to change.

The Pacific sardine HG is allocated seasonally as follows:

1. January 1, 35% of the HG to be allocated coast wide;
2. July 1, 40% of the HG, plus any portion not harvested from the initial allocation, to be reallocated coast wide; and
3. September 15, the remaining 25% of the HG, plus any portion not harvested from earlier allocations, to be reallocated coast wide.

Preliminary 2008 Oregon sardine landings. (Numbers are sardine weights and do not include other species weights landed.)

Preliminary Oregon landings through approximately 9/23/08.

For further information, contact  Cyreis.C.Schmitt@state.or.us
or call (541) 867-4741