Alaska halibut catch sees first increase in decade

JUNEAU (AP) — Fisher-men in Alaska will have access to slightly more halibut this year than last.

The International Pacific Halibut Commission voted Friday in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a total catch in Alaska of 21.215 million pounds, up from 19.705 million pounds in 2014. That's the first time in a decade the commission has increased the catch.

The six-member panel meets annually to set the halibut catch limits from Northern California to the Bering Sea. There are three commissioners from the U.S. and three from Canada.

The Alaska catch limit is divided between several areas, and inclu...