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 Home   |  Sustainable Fisheries  |  RAM  |  Subsistence Halibut
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Subsistence Halibut Fishing in Alaska
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halibut on longline
Halibut on longline.
Photo: John Hyde, ADF&G

Subsistence Halibut Fishing
Before fishing under the subsistence halibut regulations, fishermen must obtain a Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC). April 2005 regulations also provide for issuance of Community Harvest, Ceremonial and Educational Permits to qualified Alaska communities and Alaska Native Tribes. To qualify, a permit holder must comply with the existing SHARC registration and reporting processes.

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Program Information

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Applications


Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC)
Community, Ceremonial and Educational Permit Applications and Logs blue line

Reports
    Subsistence Halibut Reports
  • Alaska Department of Fish & Game: 2006, 2005, 2004 (external links)
  • NOAA Fisheries: 2005


SHARCs and Permits Issued 2008
(updated daily)		 2007 2006 2005 2004
List of all SHARCs issued, by holder: .pdf  or .csv .pdf .pdf .pdf .pdf
List of Tribal SHARC holders, by eligible Tribe: .pdf .pdf .pdf .pdf .pdf
List of Rural SHARC holders, by eligible Community: .pdf .pdf .pdf .pdf .pdf
Summary counts of SHARCs issued: .pdf .pdf .pdf .pdf .pdf
Special Permits issued:  (includes Community Harvest, Ceremonial and Educational Permits) .pdf .pdf .pdf .pdf  


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Regulations

Regulations to implement subsistence halibut fishing were published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2003 and became effective May 15, 2003. To participate in this fishery, you must hold a Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate (SHARC).

  • REGULATIONS: 50 CFR 300.60 - 300.66, Subpart E — Pacific Halibut Fisheries
    • 73 FR 20008, April 14, 2008. Proposed regulations to address subsistence halibut management concerns in densely populated areas. Comment period through May 14, 2008.  new!
    • 72 FR 68762, December 6, 2007. Correction of a spelling error in final rule 68 FR 18145, April 15, 2003. This correction makes minor, non-substantive changes and does not change operating practices in the subsistence fishery or the rights and obligations of subsistence fishermen managed under the subsistence halibut regulations off Alaska.Effective May 15, 2003.
    • 70 FR 41159, July 18, 2005. Correction to the final rule amending the subsistence fishery rules for Pacific halibut in waters off Alaska. Effective July 18, 2005.
    • 70 FR 16742, April 1, 2005. Final rule to amend the subsistence fishery rules and implement the ceremonial, educational and community subsistence harvest systems. Effective May 2, 2005
    • Special Notice, July 2004
    • FR 69 41447, July 9, 2004. Proposed regulations to amend the subsistence fishery rules for Pacific halibut in waters off Alaska.
    • FR 68 18145, April 15, 2003. Final rule to authorize and manage a subsistence fishery for Pacific halibut in waters in and off Alaska. Includes list of rural communities and federally recognized Alaska Native tribes. Effective May 15, 2003.
    • FR 67 54767, August 26, 2002. Proposed regulations to authorize a subsistence fishery for Pacific halibut in waters off Alaska.
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    Questions about getting a SHARC?
    Contact RAM at 800-304-4846 (Press #2), or (in Juneau) at 907-586-7344.

    Questions about regulatory changes?
    Contact Jay Ginter in the Sustainable Fisheries Division at 907-586-7172.
    Upcoming Changes
    The North Pacific Fishery Management Council has recommended changes to the subsistence halibut program, and Alaska Region staff are working on revisions that would, if approved by the Secretary of Commerce, implement Council recommendations adopted in December 2004. For more information about the proposed changes, see the Council's Subsistence Halibut Issues website.