The Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) is soliciting bids to contract a vessel(s) to conduct a test fishery using pelagic trawl gear to harvest up to 900,000 lb (408 metric tons) of walleye pollock in the Prince William Sound Area (PWS; Registration Area E). Eligible vessels must register for the 2021 PWS directed pollock pelagic trawl fishery; the area open to test fishing will be the same area open during the commercial fishery. Revenues generated from the pollock test fishery will be used to offset the cost of assessment and management in PWS.
The test fishery may occur the week before the regulatory opening of the PWS directed pollock pelagic trawl fishery between 12:00 noon January 12 and 12:00 noon January 19, or, following the closure of the commercial fishery, for which timing will depend on when/if the GHL is achieved; fishing area restrictions may apply if harvest or bycatch caps have been achieved for one or more sections (see map in packet issued after registering for the commercial fishery).
The minimum bid price is $0.030/lb. Bids will be accepted for 3 individual lots of 300,000 lb each. Contracts will be awarded to the highest bidder(s) within three decimal places for each of three lots. In the event of a bidding tie, the contract will be awarded via random drawing. All costs associated with the test fishery are assumed by the successful bidder. Bids must be received at the Homer ADF&G office (fax: 907-235-2448) by 12:00 noon January 7, 2021.
Vessel owners or processors interested in obtaining a request-for-quotation (RFQ) sheet may contact ADF&G in Homer at 907-235-8191 during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), leave a voicemail request including a contact fax number for Jan Rumble at 907-321-1569 to receive the packet by fax, or e-mail [email protected] to receive the packet by e-mail.
COVID-19 – Under Alaska’s Health Orders 5, 6, and 8, commercial fishing is an Essential Business and is part of Alaska’s Essential Services and Critical Infrastructure. Commercial fishermen should ensure that all travel and other activities in support of commercial fishing operations follow protocols in Alaska COVID-19 Health Orders. COVID-19 Health Orders may be found here: https://covid19.alaska.gov/health-order/
