SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is chartering longline vessels to conduct its Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS) in 2026. The primary purpose of the FISS is to collect standardised fishery-independent data for use in our 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.

2026 IPHC FISS Contract Awards  

SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) will be conducting its annual Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS) this year. The FISS will be conducted off the coast of British Columbia and Alaska during the 2026 fishing period. The IPHC will be selling Pacific halibut caught and sampled during these operations to offset the costs associated with conducting the research, in accordance with The Convention between Canada and the United States of America for the preservation of the [Pacific] halibut fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (Article III, paragraph 2).

This media release is intended to notify processors of the IPHC’s plan to sell fish and to update lists of interested buyers in ports where IPHC-chartered vessels will offload catch.

A total of six vessels will be involved in the IPHC FISS, with landings between early June and mid-September. Average trip poundage for Pacific halibut ranges from 5,000 to 35,000 pounds, plus lesser amounts of rockfish (Sebastes spp.) and Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). Please note that IPHC will continue to sell U32 Pacific halibut that have been sampled during the FISS. The condition of fish prior to each landing will be communicated in the individual sales announcement. As an update to our fish sales protocols, all applicable tax deductions must be listed on the bid with exact rates shown.

Sales will be awarded based on IPHC’s objectives of achieving a fair market price. Sales agreements will be based on prices at the time of the sale. The IPHC will not enter into any consignment or profit-sharing arrangements. The IPHC plans to contact interested Pacific halibut buyers prior to each landing. Preferences will be given to buyers with a history of successfully marketing Pacific halibut and following ethical business practices. In awarding sales, the IPHC will consider: (1) price; (2) vessel transit logistics and operational requirements (in the case of multi-port bidding); (3) the number of years buyers have been buying and marketing Pacific halibut; (4) how fish are graded, including the determination of No. 2 Pacific halibut and chalky fish; and (5) promptness in settlements following deliveries. Obtaining a fair market price will be a primary consideration in awarding fish sales. The IPHC will also attempt to distribute sales among as many qualified buyers as possible, subject to fair market value.

All buyers (including those with past IPHC sales history) interested in purchasing IPHC FISS fish in 2026 should complete the Interested Buyer Form.

Replying to this media release will ensure you are kept informed of purchasing opportunities throughout our field season.