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Based on a biomass estimate of 662,886 metric tons (mt) the coastwide maximum Harvest Guideline (HG) for Pacific sardine was set at 66,932 mt for 2009 in accordance with the Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries Management Plan (CPS FMP) and procedures for the annual management cycle of Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries. This was a 25% decrease from the 89,093 mt HG set in 2008. A set aside of 1,200 mt from the HG was established for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to allow for an industry sponsored research project to take place during the 2 nd allocation period. An incidental catch set-aside of 6,500 mt was established to prevent premature closure of other fisheries by allowing for restricted incidental landings of Pacific sardine in fisheries targeting other species. Thus, the directed sardine fishery opened under an initial overall HG of 59,232 mt.
The Pacific sardine HG was allocated seasonally for waters off the coast of Washington, Oregon, and California in accordance with the CPS FMP as follows:
- January 1, 35% of the HG to be allocated coastwide;
- July 1, 40% of the HG, plus any portion not harvested from the initial allocation, to be reallocated coastwide; and
- September 15, the remaining 25% of the HG, plus any portion not harvested from earlier allocations, to be reallocated coast wide.
If the incidental set aside is not fully attained or is exceeded in a given allocation period, the National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS) may adjust the directed harvest allocation to account for the discrepancy for the next allocation period as an automatic action.
In accordance with the recommendation of the Pacific Fishery Management Council (PFMC), in June the set aside for the EFP was increased from 1,200 to 2,400 mt by taking 750 and 450 mt from the directed fishery second and third allocation periods, respectively. The application for an EFP to conduct a West Coast Sardine Survey (pdf) was approved and the EFP was issued in July.
The table below summarizes the 2009 allocations and preliminary sardine landings in Oregon.
All quantities in Metric Tons |
Jan 1- June 30
Period 1* |
July 1- Sept 14
Period 2** |
Sept 15 – Dec 31 Period 3*** |
Total |
Coastwide Maximum HG |
-- |
-- |
-- |
66,932 |
Initial EFP Set-Aside |
-- |
-- |
-- |
1,200 |
Seasonal Allocation |
23,006 |
26,293 |
16,433 |
65,732 |
Incidental Set Aside |
1,000 |
1,000 |
4,500 |
6,500 |
Initial Directed Allocation |
22,006 |
25,293 |
11,933 |
59,232 |
Additional EFP Set Aside |
-- |
750 |
450 |
1,200 |
Actual Directed Allocation |
22,006 |
26,868 |
10,404 |
59,278 |
Oregon Directed Landings |
0 |
13,169 |
7,129 |
20,298 |
* Period 1 directed fishery closed February 20 because the directed harvest allocation was projected to be reached.
** Period 2 directed fishery closed July 18 because the directed harvest allocation was projected to be reached.
*** Period 3 directed fishery closed September 23 because the directed harvest allocation was projected to be reached.
Preliminary Oregon landings through 12/28/09.
For further information, contact Greg.Krutzikowsky@state.or.us or call (541) 867-4741 |
