Judge extends two-halibut charter limit

A federal judge extended an order allowing halibut charter fishermen in Southeast Alaska to operate under a two-fish limit, according to a charter industry group.

That's instead of the one-fish limit imposed June 1 by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The Charter Halibut Task Force said U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary Collyer granted the preliminary injunction on Friday.

The order will remain in place until a ruling is made on the merits of the case. A ruling could come well after the fishing season has ended.

The lawsuit is part of an ongoing halibut allocation battle between the commercial fishermen and charter operators.