IPHC-2025-MR-017 IPHC Harvest Strategy Policy (2025)

SEATTLE –The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has adopted a new Harvest Strategy Policy (HSP) that establishes a framework for applying a consistent, transparent, science-based approach to setting mortality limits for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) fisheries throughout the IPHC Convention Area, while ensuring the sustainability of the Pacific halibut population.

IPHC-2025-HSP: IPHC Harvest Strategy Policy (2025)

The policy, adopted on 2 December 2025, outlines Commission objectives, reference points, a management procedure, and responses to specific events, and is supported by the IPHC Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) process to ensure robustness against uncertainty and achievement of Commission objectives.

A transparent and systematic approach to meet the objectives of the policy is outlined by a number of requirements. These include:

• accounting for all mortality of all sizes and from all known sources;
• accounting for multiple sources of uncertainty, including environmental and biological;
• balancing risk, cost, and catch;
• avoiding overfishing;
• developing reference points as indicators for managing Pacific halibut;
• robust simulation testing of management procedures; and
• identifying circumstances when the harvest strategy may be reconsidered and possibly updated.

This important document provides a full description of the science-based and user-informed management of the Pacific halibut resource.