7/18/00 Hi All; I have been involved in the whiting fishery over 20 years in the US and BC Canada. I am told by some US processors that this year the fishery seems to be much different than past years, As example: The fish size seems larger and very little smaller fish have been seen . The fish seem to be caught in some coastal areas like Crescent City , Astoria , Westport and by larger boats with more HP. I also have checked with some Canadian boats and plants and get the same story . In Canada the boats may go for days unable to find any fish . Does anyone have any experience or ideas as to what is going on this year . One other note; I get fish ( hake) out of BC in the months of November to April . These are the smaller ,(referred to as the inside stocks ) size fish of which BC has set a quota of about 16,000 tons each year . The fish did appear in the Gulf but the volume was very little during March and April and for a commercial fishery didn't show up . No one I spoke to in Canada had any answers . The fishermen I work with say it was the first time in 13 years that they had fish this stock that it didn't show . Anyone have any ideas . Thanks in advance. Ray Swanson
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