One major factor continuing to dog the Pacific halibut market is the steady decline in annual quotas; this year’s quota is set at 54.1 million pounds, down 10.4 percent from 60.4 million pounds in 2008 and 17.7 percent from 65.1 million pound quota in 2007.
As a result, U.S. Pacific halibut landings have dropped gradually each of the past five years, from 79.1 million pounds in 2004 to 47.3 million pounds in 2008. The numbers continue to fall, with 2009’s total catch, as of 17 September, at…
