New harvest regulations proposed by the Fed could drastically change fishing practices in Alaska. The proposed rules would cut the amount of halibut by-catch allowed up to 50%. This regulation is generating a considerable amount of attention from members of the fishing community because of its potential to alter current best practices.

"The (trawler) fleet says proposals to trim  the amount of halibut it catches would be damaging, while other fisherman call for tighter control on trawler' by-catch" A study, conducted by the federal fishery council, concluded that the new regulations could result in lost revenues to the trawler fleet in the range of $37 million to $70 each year. A industry group's study found that lost revenues could be as high as $136 million a year.

To learn more about these new regulations click on the link below to the full Seattle Times article that details the new regulation and its effect on  the North Pacific Fishing Fleet.

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/dumping-of-halibut-sparks-fight-within-north-pacific-fishing-fleet/