The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has established fishing period limits for the 24 July 2019 fishing period for the non-tribal directed commercial fishery (the fishery) in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A.
2019 Fishery statistics:
The 2019 total allocation for this fishery is 115.41 tonnes (254,426 pounds).
A total of 94.80 tonnes (209,000 pounds) were landed during the 26 June and 10 July 2019 fishing periods.
A total of 20.6 tonnes (45,426 pounds) remains to be caught.
The IPHC has determined that a third fishing period on 24 July 2019 is feasible with a reduced fishing period limit per vessel. Given the variables within this fishery, a single limit for all vessel classes has been applied, thus allowing the same opportunity to all 2019 license holders to fish the remaining allocation of 20.6 tonnes (45,426 pounds).
The third fishing period will each begin at 08:00 hrs and end at 18:00 hrs Pacific Daylight Time, on the 24 July 2019. The fishery is restricted to waters south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46°53.30’ N. latitude). Fishing period limits as indicated in the following table will be in effect for the 24 July 2019 fishing period:
Vessel Class
Fishing period catch limit
Length
Letter
Number of licenses for 2019
Dressed, head-on with ice/slime (pounds)
Dressed, head-on with ice/slime (metric tons)
0-25
A
16
2,300
1.04
26-30
B
12
2,300
1.04
31-35
C
20
2,300
1.04
36-40
D
43
2,300
1.04
41-45
E
38
2,300
1.04
46-50
F
36
2,300
1.04
51-55
G
13
2,300
1.04
56+
H
36
2,300
1.04
The appropriate vessel length class and letter are printed on each vessel license. The fishing period limit applies to the vessel, not the individual fisher, and any landings over the vessel limit will be subject to forfeiture and fine.
The fishing period limit is shown in terms of dressed, head-on weight, and fishers are reminded that regulations require that all Pacific halibut be landed with the head naturally attached. There is a 72-hour rule, whereby a vessel that will be used in the fishery may not be used to fish for any species of fish anywhere in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A during the 72-hour period immediately before the non-tribal directed commercial fishing period unless all catch of other species has been completely offloaded or the vessel has submitted to a hold inspection by an authorized officer prior to the start of the fishing period (see Pacific Halibut Fishery Regulations 2019, sections 20(7) and 20(8)).
NOAA Fisheries has implemented mandatory area closures that are in effect for the directed Pacific halibut fishery to protect specific rockfish species. For the exact coordinates of the closed areas, please refer to their webpage: http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/management/groundfish_closures/groundfish_closed_areas.html. For further information, call the NOAA Fisheries hotline at 1 800-662-9825, then press “7” for the Pacific halibut fisheries.
Following the 24 July 2019 fishing period, the IPHC may establish and announce fishing period limits for subsequent fishing periods in 2019, dependent upon allocation remaining for the fishery.
Ongoing Subscription to IPHC News Releases
Dear Reader: The IPHC is moving towards fully electronic information distribution. As such, if you would like to continue to receive IPHC news in the future, please click the following link to subscribe to electronic communications: https://www.iphc.int/form/news-letter. Hard copies of news releases and other bulletins will cease on 1 August 2019.
– END –
David T. Wilson, Ph.D. Executive Director, IPHC Phone: (206) 634-1838 Fax: (206) 632-2983 Web: www.iphc.int
Document
Title
PDF
Report #
Year
Date Published
IPHC-2019-NR014
Non-Tribal Directed Commercial Fishery in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A: Fishing Period Limits for 24 July 2019
IPHC NEWS RELEASE 2019-015 NON-TRIBAL DIRECTED COMMERCIAL FISHERY IN IPHC REGULATORY AREA 2A: CLOSED
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has closed the non-tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery (the fishery) in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A for the remainder of 2019.
2019 Fishery statistics:
The 2019 total allocation for this fishery is 115.41 tonnes (254,426 pounds).
An estimated 119.75 tonnes (264,000 pounds) have been landed during the 26 June, 10 July and 24 July 2019 fishing periods.
As the fishery allocation has been attained, the IPHC is closing this fishery for the remainder of 2019, effective immediately.
ONGOING SUBSCRIPTION TO IPHC NEWS RELEASES
Dear Reader: The IPHC is moving towards fully electronic information distribution. As such, if you would like to continue to receive IPHC news in the future, please click the following link to subscribe to electronic communications: https://www.iphc.int/form/news-letter. Hard copies of news releases and other bulletins will cease on 1 August 2019.
– END –
David T. Wilson, Ph.D. Executive Director, IPHC Phone: (206) 634-1838 Fax: (206) 632-2983 Web: www.iphc.int
Document
Title
PDF
Report #
Year
Date Published
IPHC-2019-NR015
Non-Tribal Directed Commercial Fishery in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A: Closed
IPHC NOTIFIES INDUSTRY OF HALIBUT SALES IN 2017 AND SEEKS BUYERS INTERESTED IN IPHC RESEARCH FISH
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC, or Commission) will be conducting research operations off northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska during 2017 and will be selling Pacific halibut caught and sampled during the operations to offset costs associated with conducting the research. This news release is intended to notify industry of the IPHC plan to sell fish and to update lists of interested buyers in ports where IPHC-chartered boats will offload catch.
Approximately 15 vessels will be involved in the research stock assessment survey, with landings between early June and early September. Average trip poundage for Pacific halibut will range from 5,000 to 35,000 pounds, plus lesser amounts of rockfish and Pacific cod. All of the fish will be well-iced, and the Commission will attempt to keep all of the fish less than six days old when selling into fresh fish markets. Older fish may be landed when selling into frozen markets or as required by specific projects. The age of fish will always be communicated in the sales announcement. Suggestions from industry on how the IPHC can maximize fish quality or improve fish sales procedures are welcome.
Sales will be awarded based on our objectives of achieving a fair market price and distributing sales among buyers and ports. Sale agreements will be based on prices at the time of the sale. The Commission will not enter into any consignment or profit-sharing arrangements. The Commission 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 Commission will consider: (1) price; (2) the number of years buyers have been buying and marketing Pacific halibut; (3) how fish are graded at the dock, 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, but the Commission may award sales to buyers with slightly lower prices in consideration of the factors listed above. The Commission will also attempt to distribute sales among as many qualified buyers as possible, subject to fair market value. For deliveries in Washington and Oregon, fish from all offloads may be awarded to a single buyer.
All buyers (including those with past IPHC sales history) interested in purchasing IPHC research fish in 2017 should complete the attached Interested Buyer Form and mail, fax, or email to Eric Soderlund (eric@iphc.int) at the Commission before 1 May 2017. It may be easiest for you to complete this form online (www.iphc.int/research/surveys/surveyfishbuyers.html). Replying to this news release will ensure you are kept informed of purchasing opportunities throughout our field season. For further information, please contact Eric Soderlund at (206) 552-7678.
Document
Title
PDF
Report #
Year
Date Published
IPHC-2017-NR004.pdf
IPHC notifies Industry of halibut sales in 2017 and seeks buyers interested in IPHC research fish
IPHC REQUESTS BIDS FOR THE 2017 FISHERY-INDEPENDENT SETLINE SURVEYS
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is seeking to charter longline vessels to conduct our fisheries-independent setline survey (setline survey) in 2017. 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 survey expenses. The 2017 setline survey will cover 31 regions within the IPHC Convention Area with a standard grid of stations from California to the northern Bering Sea including the Aleutian Islands. The 2017 setline survey will also include an expanded number of stations in IPHC Regulatory Areas 2A and 4B to gather additional data from these regions. All regions are open for single year bids. Vessels will fish 5 skates of gear at each station in most regions (except 6 skates in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A and 7 skates in Regulatory Area 4CDE) following standard 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 can be expected to be 20-36 days in duration. Vessels are encouraged to bid for multiple areas, and may be awarded up to a maximum of three regions. Survey fishing must be completed between 28 May and 31 August 2017.
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 IPHC employees (who may be women). 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. Interested vessel owners are invited to submit bids based upon standard IPHC contract structure as described in the IPHC Request for Proposal specifications.
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.
For further information please contact Tracee Geernaert (ext. 7665), or Eric Soderlund (ext. 7678) at (206) 634 1838.
Charter Specifications and Vessel Tender Forms for this project may be requested from the IPHC or downloaded from the IPHC web site (www.iphc.int). Bids must be received at the IPHC office in Seattle by 12:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) on Monday, 13 March 2017.
Document
Title
PDF
Report #
Year
Date Published
IPHC-2017-NR002.pdf
IPHC requests bids for the 2017 Fishery-independent Setline Surveys
The 95th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM095) will be held from Monday 28 January 2019 through Friday 1 February 2019, at the Fairmont Empress hotel in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The AM095 agenda and related documents may be accessed on the IPHC website: https://www.iphc.int/venues/details/95th-session-of-the-iphc-annual-meeting-am095.
Document deadline: 29 December 2018, for all documents, including working papers, agency reports and regulatory proposals. Documents of any type received after the deadline will be considered for information only (Information Papers) and may not be discussed at the meeting.
Registration: Please register for either in-person or remote (webinar) attendance at the same Annual Meeting webpage link shown above.
The in-person registration link on the meeting page contains additional details of the rooms reserved at the Fairmont Empress for meeting attendees (rate of $169 CAD/night) and is valid until 28 December 2018. More information may be found at these links:
REPORT OF THE 94th SESSION OF THE IPHC INTERIM MEETING (IM094)
Please note that the report of the 94th Session of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Interim Meeting (IM094) which was held on 27-28 November 2018 in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A, is available on the IM094 page of the IPHC website.
Please also be reminded of the new functionality added to the IPHC website throughout 2018 which you may find useful in preparing for the 95th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting:
Dear Reader: The IPHC is moving towards fully electronic information distribution. As such, if you would like to continue to receive IPHC news in the future, please click the following link to subscribe to electronic communications: https://www.iphc.int/form/news-letter. Hard copies of news releases and other bulletins will cease in 2019.
David T. Wilson, Ph.D. Executive Director, IPHC Phone: (206) 634-1838 Fax: (206) 632-2983 Web: www.iphc.int
Document
Title
PDF
Report #
Year
Date Published
IPHC-2018-NR031
95th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM095): Deadlines and Arrangements
INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION REQUESTS CHARTER BIDS
FOR THE 2019 FISHERY-INDEPENDENT SETLINE SURVEY (FISS)
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is seeking to charter longline vessels to conduct its fisheries-independent setline survey (FISS) in 2019. The purpose of the FISS 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 FISS expenses.
The 2019 FISS will cover 30 regions within the IPHC Convention Area with a standard grid of stations from Oregon to the northern Bering Sea, including the Aleutian Islands. The 2019 FISS will also include an expanded number of stations in IPHC Regulatory Areas 3A and 3B to gather additional data from these areas. All regions are open for single-year bids.
Vessels will fish seven (7) skates of gear at each FISS station in most regions (except eight skates in IPHC Regulatory Areas 2A and part of 4CDE) following standard FISS protocol. A maximum of four (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 are encouraged to bid for multiple areas, and may be awarded up to a maximum of four regions. The FISS must be completed between 26 May and 31 August 2019.
Vessels need not be licensed for Pacific halibut fishing in Canada or the USA 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 five 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 conventionalfixed-hook setline gear (in all IPHC Regulatory Areas, including 2C), or snap-hook setline gear (in IPHC Regulatory Area 2C only), conforming to IPHC standards (see Charter Specifications listed below) as well as all associated equipment normally required for commercial Pacific 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 website:
Bids must be emailed (pdf) to the IPHC Secretariat at secretariat@iphc.intno later than 17:00 hrs (PST) on 15 February 2019.
For further information please contact the IPHC Secretariat at secretariat@iphc.int or 206.634.1838.
ONGOING SUBSCRIPTION TO IPHC NEWS RELEASES
Dear Reader: The IPHC is moving towards fully electronic information distribution. As such, if you would like to continue to receive IPHC news in the future, please click the following link to subscribe to electronic communications: https://www.iphc.int/form/news-letter. Hard copies of news releases and other bulletins will cease early in 2019.
– END –
David T. Wilson, Ph.D. Executive Director, IPHC Phone: (206) 634-1838 Fax: (206) 632-2983 Web: www.iphc.int
Document
Title
PDF
Report #
Year
Date Published
IPHC-2018-NR032
International Pacific Halibut Commission Requests Charter Bids For The 2019 Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS)
Please be reminded that the 95th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM095) will be held from Monday 28 January 2019 through Friday 1 February 2019, at the Fairmont Empress hotel in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Document deadline: The document deadline has now passed (29 December 2018), and as such, any further documents (of any type) received will be considered for information only (Information Papers) and may not be discussed at the meeting.
Registration: Please register for either in-person or remote (webinar) attendance at the Annual Meeting webpage link shown above. Lodging information may be found at these links:
IPHC Website functionality: Please also be reminded of the new functionality added to the IPHC website throughout 2018, which you may find useful in preparing for the 95th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM095):
89th SESSION OF THE IPHC CONFERENCE BOARD (CB089) and
24th SESSION OF THE IPHC PROCESSOR ADVISORY BOARD (PAB024)
Please also be reminded that the 89th Session of the IPHC Conference Board (CB089) and the 24th Session of the IPHC Processor Advisory Board (PAB024) will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday the 29-30 January 2019, in parallel with the AM095 meeting.
Dear Reader: The IPHC is moving towards fully electronic information distribution. As such, if you would like to continue to receive IPHC news in the future, please click the following link to subscribe to electronic communications: https://www.iphc.int/form/news-letter. Hard copies of news releases and other bulletins will cease in early 2019.
– END –
David T. Wilson, Ph.D. Executive Director, IPHC Phone: (206) 634-1838 Fax: (206) 632-2983 Web: www.iphc.int
Document
Title
PDF
Report #
Year
Date Published
IPHC-2019-NR001
95th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM095): Final Arrangements
NOTIFICATION OF IPHC REGULATORY AREA 2A DIRECTED COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL LICENSE APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR SUBMISSION
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) Regulatory Area 2A is located on the West Coast of the U.S.A in waters off Washington (WA), Oregon (OR), and California (CA). The IPHC sets the overall total fishery removals (mortality limit) for the area. The Catch Sharing Plan (for Regulatory Area 2A), as adopted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries, is then used to further allocate the total fishery removals among user groups.
Commercial fixed-gear and recreational charter vessels retaining Pacific halibut in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A must be licensed by the IPHC. Federal and state licensing requirements may also apply.
Applicants can choose from among three commercial and one recreational charter fishery licenses on the application form, by the application deadlines noted below. All applications must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m. (PST) on the applicable deadline date.
Directed commercial fishery – 30 April (may also apply for a license incidental to the sablefish fishery)
Incidental commercial fishery during the sablefish fishery – 15 March (may also apply for a license to the directed commercial fishery)
Incidental commercial fishery during the salmon troll fishery – 15 March
Recreational charter Fishery – No Deadline
Applications must be submitted via the IPHC website at the following link:
No applications submitted by fax, mail, or email will be accepted.
Please contact the IPHC Secretariat at: secretariat@iphc.int, or by phone on 206-634-1838 should you have any questions or require assistance.
ONGOING SUBSCRIPTION TO IPHC NEWS RELEASES
Dear Reader: The IPHC is moving towards fully electronic information distribution. As such, if you would like to continue to receive IPHC news in the future, please click the following link to subscribe to electronic communications: https://www.iphc.int/form/news-letter. Hard copies of news releases and other bulletins will cease early in 2019.
David T. Wilson, Ph.D. Executive Director, IPHC Phone: (206) 634-1838 Fax: (206) 632-2983 Web: www.iphc.int
Document
Title
PDF
Report #
Year
Date Published
IPHC-2019-NR003
Notification of IPHC Regulatory Area 2A Directed Commercial and Recreational License Applications Available for Submission
INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION ANNUAL MEETING (AM095)
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) completed its 95th Annual Meeting (AM095) in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on 1 February 2019. A total of 198 Pacific halibut stakeholders attended the meeting, with over 142 more participating in web broadcasts of the meeting. Meeting information, documents, and presentations are available on the meeting page at the IPHC website (https://www.iphc.int/venues/details/95th-session-of-the-iphc-annual-meeting-am095).
A complete summary of the meeting can be found in the Report of the 95th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting, posted on the IPHC website at https://www.iphc.int/uploads/pdf/am/2019am/iphc-2019-am095-r.pdf. Selected elments of the report are highlighted below:
The 2018 Stock Assessment and 2019 Harvest Advice
The 2018 stock assessment produced the following scientific advice regarding the Pacific halibut stock:
Fishing intensity: The IPHC does not have an explicit coastwide fishing intensity target or limit reference point, making it difficult to determine if current levels of fishing intensity are consistent with the interim harvest strategy policy objectives. However, given the healthy female spawning biomass and the TAC set for 2018 only being marginally higher than the levels estimated to maintain biomass at or near current levels of 43%, on the weight-of-evidence, the stock is classified as not subject to overfishing.
Spawning biomass: Female spawning stock biomass of Pacific halibut at the beginning of 2018 was estimated to be 43% (27–63%) of the SB0 (unfished levels) defined by the interim harvest strategy policy. The probability that the stock is below the SB30 level (IPHC trigger) is estimated to be 11%, with less than a 1% chance that the stock is below SB20 (IPHC limit reference point). Thus, on the weight of evidence available, the Pacific halibut stock is determined to be not overfished (SB2019 > SB20%).
Outlook: The stock is projected to decrease over the period from 2019-22 for all TCEYs greater than 20 million pounds (~9,070 t), corresponding to a Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) of 64%. At the reference level (SPR of 46% and a TCEY of 40 Mlbs or 18,140 t) the probability of at least a 5% decrease in stock size increases over time from 37% (2020) to 86% (2022). There is a one third chance (<34/100) that the stock will decline below the threshold reference point (SB30%) in projections for all the levels of fishing intensity up to an SPR of 40% evaluated over three years.
Regulatory Changes: Fishery Limits and Fishing Periods
The fishery regulations approved by the IPHC, including fishery limits and fishing periods, will be recommended to the Contracting Parties for implementation according to their domestic law and regulation, in accordance with the Convention[1].
Fishery Limits
The Commission adopted distributed mortality (TCEY) values for each IPHC Regulatory Area as shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Distributed mortality (TCEY) by IPHC Regulatory Area
IPHC Regulatory Area
Distributed mortality limits (TCEY) (net weight*)
Metric tons (t)
Pounds (lb)
Area 2A (California, Oregon, and Washington)
748.43
1.65M
Area 2B (British Columbia)
3,098.04
6.83M
Area 2C (southeastern Alaska)
2,875.78
6.34M
Area 3A (central Gulf of Alaska)
6,123.50
13.50M
Area 3B (western Gulf of Alaska)
1,315.42
2.90M
Area 4A (eastern Aleutians)
879.97
1.94M
Area 4B (central/western Aleutians)
657.71
1.45M
Areas 4CDE (Bering Sea)
1,814.37
4.00M
Total
17,513.20
38.61M
*“net weight” of a Pacific halibut means the weight of Pacific halibut that is without gills and entrails, head-off, washed (without ice and slime). If a Pacific halibut is weighed with the head on or with ice and slime, the required conversion factors for calculating net weight are a 2 percent deduction for ice and slime and a 10 percent deduction for the head.
[1] 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.
Table 2. Mortality table projected for the 2019 mortality limits by IPHC Regulatory Area, in millions of pounds
Sector
IPHC Regulatory Area
2A
2B
2C
3A
3B
4A
4B
4CDE
Total
Commercial discard mortality
0.02
0.13
NA
NA
0.19
0.09
0.02
0.04
0.50
O26 Bycatch
0.13
0.27
0.03
1.28
0.36
0.18
0.22
1.87
4.33
Non-CSP Recreational (+ discards)
NA
0.08
1.38
1.74
0.00
0.01
0.00
0.00
3.21
Subsistence
NA
0.41
0.44
0.22
0.01
0.01
0.00
0.06
1.14
Total Non-FCEY
0.15
0.88
1.85
3.24
0.57
0.29
0.24
1.96
9.18
Commercial discard mortality
NA
NA
0.06
0.31
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.37
CSP Recreational (+ discards)
0.60
0.84
0.82
1.89
NA
NA
NA
NA
4.16
Subsistence
0.03
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.03
Commercial Landings
0.86
5.10
3.61
8.06
2.33
1.65
1.21
2.04
24.88
Total FCEY
1.50
5.95
4.49
10.26
2.33
1.65
1.21
2.04
29.43
TCEY
1.65
6.83
6.34
13.50
2.90
1.94
1.45
4.00
38.61
U26 Bycatch
0.00
0.02
0.00
0.37
0.11
0.10
0.01
1.12
1.73
Total Mortality
1.65
6.85
6.34
13.87
3.01
2.04
1.46
5.12
40.34
Fishing Periods (season dates)
The Commission adopted an overall fishing period (season) of 15 March – 14 November 2019 for all commercial Pacific fisheries in Canada and the USA. In IPHC Regulatory Area 2A, the tribal commercial fisheries and the incidental Pacific halibut fisheries will occur within these dates, and the non-tribal directed commercial fishery will consist of 10-hour derby fishing periods, including 26 June, 10 July, 24 July, 7 August, 21 August, 4 September, and 18 September, with other possible dates to be determined by the IPHC Secretariat.
Other Actions
Harvest Strategy Policy
The Commission provided direction to the IPHC Secretariat and the Management Strategy Advisory Board (MSAB) for further work on harvest strategy policy development, noting that scale and distribution components will be evaluated and presented no later than at the 97th Annual Meeting (AM097) in 2021, for potential adoption and subsequent implementation as a harvest strategy.
The IPHC approved the last in a series of expansions to its annual fishery-independent setline survey (FISS). The purpose of the expansion series is to provide more accurate and precise estimates among regulatory areas and to encompass all depths over which the stock is distributed. In 2019, the FISS in IPHC Regulatory Areas 3A and 3B will be expanded beyond the standard grid of setline survey stations fished each year.
Upcoming Meetings
The IPHC’s 95th Interim Meeting will be held 25-26 November 2019, in Seattle, Washington. The IPHC’s 96th Annual Meeting (AM096) is planned for 27-31 January 2020 in Anchorage, Alaska, and the 97th Annual Meeting (AM097) is planned for 25-29 January 2021 in Victoria, British Columbia.
Commission Membership
United States Government Commissioner Mr. Chris Oliver was elected Chairperson for the coming year. Canadian Government Commissioner Mr. Paul Ryall was elected Vice-Chairperson. The other Canadian Commissioners are Mr. Neil Davis and Mr. Peter DeGreef. The other US Commissioners are Mr. Robert Alverson and Mr. Richard Yamada.
ONGOING SUBSCRIPTION TO IPHC NEWS RELEASES
Dear Reader: The IPHC is moving towards fully electronic information distribution. As such, if you would like to continue to receive IPHC news in the future, please click the following link to subscribe to electronic communications: https://www.iphc.int/form/news-letter. Hard copies of news releases and other bulletins will cease in early 2019.
– END –
David T. Wilson, Ph.D. Executive Director, IPHC Phone: (206) 634-1838 Fax: (206) 632-2983 Web: www.iphc.int
Document
Title
PDF
Report #
Year
Date Published
IPHC-2019-NR005
Detailed Outcomes of the 95th Session of the International Pacific Halibut Commission Annual Meeting (AM095)
