In the past, NSEDC has conducted local near-shore halibut fisheries in both Area 4D and Area 4E (approximately 180,000 pounds) working with local fishermen from the region, particularly Nome and Savoonga. The residents of our region are extremely interested in participating in the halibut fishery, expressed in part through the popularity of NSEDC's Large Vessel Loan Program. NSEDC's allocation of CDQ halibut is intended to support the growing local Nome-based fishery and fisheries development efforts for eastern and southern Norton Sound communities similar to the one conducted in Savoonga in 1993-1994.

Halibut CDQ will continue to be harvested by residents of the region using locally owned fishing vessels and legal hook and line gear as permitted by ADF&G and NMFS for commercial halibut fishing. Halibut will be delivered to the processing plant in Savoonga and to the newly constructed Norton Sound Seafood Center in Nome. Norton Sound Seafood Products, a division of NSEDC, will buy, process and market all the CDQ halibut. The fishery will take place around St. Lawrence Island in Area 4D and along the coastal areas adjacent to Norton Sound in Area 4E. This fishery will be conducted in a June to September timeframe each year. NSEDC staff expects an increasing demand for halibut quota in Areas 4D and 4E as the Large Vessel Loan Program helps local fishermen produce larger catches.