Chair of the local Sportfish Advisory Board Urs Thomas says he's pleased with the recent changes to recreational halibut fishery. The new guidelines allow anglers to keep one halibut a day, with a possession limit of two, provided one of those fish is less than 15 pounds (83 cm). Mr. Thomas explained that those guidelines allow a better chance of survival for the larger female fish, and so protect the fishery, as well as keeping the total amount caught down.Mr. Thomas said the Sport Fishing Advisory Board's focus has been on allowing a full halibut season in 2012. In 2011 the season closed in September when the total allowable catch was reached. "We had to look at how to manage our fishery, to make it to December," said Mr. Thomas. "It's the first time we've had to do that, and I hope we've made the right decision. It will show by the end of the year."