IPHC News Release 2018-007 IPHC Requests New Charter Bids for Two Regions of the 2018 Fishery-independent Setline Survey

20 April 2018   

INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION REQUESTS NEW CHARTER BIDS

FOR TWO REGIONS OF THE 2018 FISHERY-INDEPENDENT SETLINE SURVEY

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is seeking to charter longline vessels to conduct its fisheries-independent setline survey (setline survey) in 2018. The purpose of the setline survey is to collect standardized data for use in the Pacific halibut stock assessment. This information is used to study aspects of the Pacific halibut resource such as growth, distribution, biomass, age composition, sexual maturity, and relative abundance of other species. Legal-sized Pacific halibut from all skates and some bycatch will be retained, sampled for biological data, and sold by the IPHC to offset setline survey expenses.

In IPHC News Release 2018-002 the IPHC requested bids for all 30 regions of the 2018 setline survey. Since then it has become necessary to seek new bids for two setline survey regions in waters off British Columbia: Goose Island and St. James.

Vessels will fish 7 skates of gear at each setline survey station in these regions following standard setline survey protocol. A maximum of 4 stations will be permitted per day. Most regions require 12-22 fishing days plus additional days for running, loading and offloading gear and fish, foul weather days, etc. Depending on the region, total charter duration for each region can be expected to be 20-36 days. Vessels may bid for one or both regions. Setline survey fishing must be completed between 28 May and 31 August 2018.

Vessels need not be licensed for Pacific halibut fishing in Canada or the U.S.A. to be eligible. The IPHC is not restricted as to nationality of the vessels it charters for operation in any region as long as customs and immigration regulations are followed.

The IPHC will consider only those vessels with captains and crews that have recent (within 5 years) Pacific halibut fishing experience. Most areas require vessels that have adequate deck space and suitable accommodations for two to three male or female IPHC employees. Vessels must supply conventional fixed-hook setline gear conforming to IPHC standards (see Charter Specifications) as well as all associated equipment normally required for commercial halibut fishing.

The IPHC may require an inspection of the vessel prior to awarding the charter. Bids will be evaluated based on (1) the Pacific halibut fishing experience of captain and crew, (2) the characteristics and safety features of the vessel, (3) the vessel’s availability, and (4) the IPHC operating costs. The lowest or any bid will not necessarily be accepted, and the IPHC will contract according to its own interests. 

Interested vessel owners are invited to submit bids based upon standard IPHC contract structure as described in the IPHC Request for Proposal specifications. Charter Specifications and Vessel Tender Forms for this project may be downloaded directly from the IPHC web site at https://www.iphc.int/the-commission/opportunities or requested from the IPHC Secretariat office. Bids must be received at the IPHC office in Seattle by 12:00 noon (Pacific Time) on Friday, 27 April 2018.

For further information please contact Tracee Geernaert (ext. 7665), or Eric Soderlund (ext. 7678) at (206) 634-1838. 

Due to the short notice nature of this notification, it is posted to the IPHC website only, and no paper copy has been mailed out.

David T. Wilson, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Phone: (206) 634-1838
Fax:     (206) 632-2983
Web:  www.iphc.int