I don't think the earlier opener is going to happen - at least this year.

The problem is the number of folks who like to catch halibut. It doesn't take to many angler days with boat limits to get to the quota. The season lengths have been shortening each year for the past couple of years as folks make plans to head to Neah Bay or LaPush. I guess Neah Bay was a madhouse this year.

Since halibut are managed through the International Pacific Halibut Commission, the odds of switching boundaries is not likely to happen. I understand that the Canadians are getting more concerned about US fishers coming over to their side. If I remember correctly, their recreational quota is also limited. They have longer seasons because they don't have the fishing pressure.

There are lots of options that can be explored

weekly bag limits
annual bag limits
gear limits
restricted fishing days (odd/even based on boat registration number or fishing license number
shortened fishing week
charter boat limits/restrictions

lots of things/combinations to consider

If we could get some equity on sport harvest out of by-catch allotments to the commercials, maybe we'd have longer seasons.....