SEATTLE —Setline Survey Specialists (Field) came from across the globe for training at the IPHC HQ in Seattle, WA, this week. Nine specialists met with the HQ team to help prepare each other for a successful and safe 2025 Fishery Independent Setline Survey (FISS).

The FISS will begin this weekend with first hooks being deployed from the FV Vanisle in the Charlotte charter region (IPHC Regulatory Area 2B – Canada) on Sunday morning, 1 June 2025. Other vessels will begin work next week and into June/early July.

Please join us in wishing them a safe and productive FISS season.

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