SEATTLE — The 2025 commercial Pacific halibut fishery is scheduled to open at 06:00 local time on 20 March in all IPHC Regulatory Areas, except IPHC Regulatory Area 2A. This opening reflects the recommendations outlined in Section 9 (Commercial Fishing Periods) of the 2025 IPHC Fishery Regulations.

The announcement of the opening date follows the approval of the 2025 IPHC Fishery Regulations by Canada and by the United States of America.

For IPHC Regulatory Area 2A, commercial fishing periods will be announced separately by NOAA Fisheries and published in the Federal Register.

For further information please contact the IPHC Secretariat at secretariat@iphc.int or 206.634.1838.

IPHC Secretariat
International Pacific Halibut Commission
2320 W. Commodore Way, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98199-1287
206-634-1838 | www.iphc.int

SEATTLE — The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) will be conducting its annual fishery-independent setline survey (FISS) later this year. The FISS will be conducted off the coast of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska during the 2025 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. 

Landings will occur 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 the 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 the 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) the number of years buyers have been buying and marketing Pacific halibut; (3) how fish are graded, including the determination of No. 2 Pacific halibut and chalky fish; and (4) 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 2025 should complete the Interested Buyer Form.  

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

For further information please contact the IPHC Secretariat at secretariat@iphc.int or 206.634.1838.

IPHC Secretariat
International Pacific Halibut Commission
2320 W. Commodore Way, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98199-1287
206-634-1838 | www.iphc.int

SEATTLE — The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from persons seeking to serve as a member of its Research Advisory Board (RAB) representing Canada.

The RAB currently meets once each year, in November, for 1.5 days. RAB members serve without compensation from the Commission, although travel expenses to meetings of the RAB and associated per diem are paid by the IPHC.

The RAB is composed of members of the Pacific halibut community, including commercial, guided sport, unguided sport/recreational, subsistence, and First Nations/Tribal interests. The primary objectives of the RAB, as described in Appendix VII of the Rules of Procedure, are as follows:

1. suggest research topics to be considered for incorporation in the IPHC integrated research and monitoring activities, as well as to comment upon operational and implementation considerations of those research and monitoring activities;
2. provide the IPHC Secretariat staff (who participate in Sessions of the RAB as Observers) with direct input and advice from industry on current and planned research activities contemplated for inclusion in the IPHC 5-Year program of integrated research and monitoring (2022-2026);
3. make recommendations to the Scientific Review Board concerning options for new suggest research topics, and current and planned research activities, and their prioritization for its consideration.

To perform these duties, RAB members must be available for meetings (in-person or via remote access) and willing to participate in candid discussions about the IPHC research and monitoring activities. The term of RAB members is two years and members may serve additional terms.

EOIs are welcome at any time, but for the 2025 meeting, must be received by the IPHC Secretariat via email at secretariat@iphc.int no later than the close of business on 31 July 2025.

Current Board members (listed on the IPHC website at https://www.iphc.int/about/structure-of-the-commission/) are also available to discuss the RAB process.

For further information please contact the IPHC Secretariat at secretariat@iphc.int or 206.634.1838.

IPHC Secretariat
International Pacific Halibut Commission
2320 W. Commodore Way, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98199-1287
206-634-1838 | www.iphc.int

SEATTLE — The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from persons seeking to serve as a member of its Management Strategy Advisory Board (MSAB) representing U.S.A. commercial fisheries targeting Pacific halibut.

The MSAB currently meets at least once each year, in May, for 2–4 days. An additional 1–3 day meeting may occur in October, if needed. MSAB members serve without compensation from the Commission, although travel expenses to meetings of the MSAB, and associated per diem, are fully paid for non-government members.

The primary role of the MSAB is to advise the Commission on the Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) process. MSE is a stakeholder-informed, scientifically driven process supporting the development of a revised IPHC harvest strategy policy. The primary objectives of the MSAB, as described in Appendix V of the IPHC Rules of Procedure (2024), are as follows:

1. recommend clear measurable objectives and performance metrics for the fisheries;
2. propose candidate management strategies, which include aspects of the fisheries that can be managed (e.g. regulatory requirements);
3. provide suggestions to the IPHC Secretariat about plausible fisheries-related scenarios for investigation, which include aspects of the fisheries that cannot be managed by the IPHC (e.g. removals under the management authority of a domestic management agency or changes in fisheries dynamics due to various factors);
4. encourage and allow members to propose tentative or exploratory ideas without prejudice to future discussions;
5. assist with interpreting results and identifying important trade-offs between management procedures;
6. represent information, views, and outcomes of the MSAB discussions to constituents accurately and appropriately;
7. gather and clearly articulate the interests and concerns of constituents and incorporate them into the MSAB’s discussions.

To perform these duties, the MSAB includes the following interests: harvesters (commercial, sport, and subsistence), fisheries managers, processors, science advisors, and other experts as required, and be facilitated by the IPHC Secretariat. Representation may not be distributed throughout IPHC Regulatory Areas, but may be a consideration when determining membership. The term of MSAB members is four years and members may serve additional terms at the discretion of the Commission.

Expressions of interest are invited for the following vacancy:

1. Commercial harvesters: USA (1) (targeting Pacific halibut)

EOI format:

• MSAB vacancy (sector and country)
• Full name
• Contact information
• Supporting documentation (e.g. letters of support from relevant sector).

EOIs must be received by the IPHC Secretariat via email at secretariat@iphc.int no later than the close of business on 15 March 2025.

The Commission is expected to make an intersessional decision on membership in time for any new members to be able to participate in the 21^st Session of the Management Strategy Advisory Board (MSAB021), scheduled for 13–15 May 2025 in Juneau, AK.

Current Board members (listed on the IPHC website at https://www.iphc.int/about/structure-of-the-commission/) are also available to discuss the MSAB and the MSE process.

For further information please contact the IPHC Secretariat at secretariat@iphc.int or 206.634.1838.

IPHC Secretariat
International Pacific Halibut Commission
2320 W. Commodore Way, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98199-1287
206-634-1838 | www.iphc.int