The North Pacific Fishery Management Council staff recommendations for Alaska sablefish harvest show a slight increase for 2007, up from 19,900 metric tons in 2006 to 20,100 metric tons in 2007. But despite the increase in statewide allowable catch of sablefish, the volume of product available to the market will probably decline slightly in 2007, based on typical harvest patterns in different areas of the state.

The 2007 recommendations result in a net increase of 200 metric tons in statewide sablefish quota. Gulf of Alaska (GOA) sablefish areas see a quota reduction of 530 metric tons while the Bering Sea and Aleutian Island (BSAI) sablefish areas see an increase of 730 metric tons. Since 2001, GOA areas have landed over 98 percent of their allowable sablefish catch, while BSAI areas have landed only 52 percent of their allowable sablefish catch.

So while sablefish supply will experience the full effect of reductions in GOA sablefish areas, only about half the increase in BSAI sablefish areas will end up as product in the marketplace. The net effect is an anticipated reduction of about 150 metric tons in 2007 Alaska sablefish landings.