23 September 2021

Seattle – The IPHC would like to extend an invitation to all stakeholders to consider submitting proposals for new or amended Fishery Regulations for consideration during the 2021-22 process.

Please be reminded that the deadlines to submit Fishery Regulation proposals as part of the 2021-22 process are as follows (30 days prior to the opening of each of the Sessions):

• 31 October 2021: for consideration at the 97^th Session of the IPHC Interim Meeting (IM097);
• 25 December 2021: for consideration at the 98^th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM098).

While it is not a requirement to submit proposals for the Interim Meeting, it does assist the Commission in preparing for the decision-making process at the subsequent Annual Meeting.

To submit a Fishery Regulation proposal, please use the IPHC web-portal: https://www.iphc.int/form/regulatory-proposal.

More information will be posted on the IM097 and AM098 meeting pages as it becomes available:

• 97^th Session of the IPHC Interim Meeting (IM097);
• 98^th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM098).

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

13 Sept 2021

SEATTLE – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has announced beginning Monday, 13 September 2021, a change in their allowable daily bag limit.

For information, please view the ODFW media release at: https://myodfw.com/pacific-halibut-sport-regulations

Updates on Pacific halibut fishing opportunities are available at the NOAA Fisheries hotline (1-800-662-9825).

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

10 Sept 2021

SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is pleased to announce the receipt of funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2021 Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP). These funds will support a project entitled “Gear-based approaches to catch protection as a means for minimizing whale depredation in longline fisheries”.

This study seeks to identify potential methods for protecting hook captured fish from whale depredation, and to develop and field-test several simple, low-cost catch-protection designs that can be deployed effectively using current longline fishing techniques.

Descriptions of all BREP projects funded in Fiscal Year 2021 can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/bycatch/2021-funded-bycatch-reduction-engineering-program-projects.

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

01 Sept 2021

SEATTLE – California recreational Pacific halibut fishery – Reopening 03 September 2021.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced that the recreational Pacific halibut fishery will reopen on Friday, 03 September 2021 at 0000 local time and remain open until 15 November 2021 or until the fishery limit is reached, whichever is earlier. CDFW estimates that 9.51 net metric tonnes (20,964 pounds), of the 17.81 net metric tonne (39,260 pound) fishery limit, remain for anglers to catch.

For more information, please view the CDFW media release at: https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/.

Live updates on Pacific halibut fishing opportunities are available at the NOAA-Fisheries Hotline, (800) 662-9825.

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

20 August 2021

SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is acquiring approximately 102 tonnes (225,600 pounds) of fish for the 2022 Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS). Due to the scientific nature of the study, IPHC quality requirements and standardisation exceed those normally provided by industry as bait chum.

Chum salmon requirements:

• Headed and gutted (H&G)
• Individually quick frozen (IQF).
• minimum grade is semi-bright #2s (ASMI grade A-E).
• 2 to 3 kg (4 to 6 lb) and 3 to 4 kg (6 to 9 lb) preferred; >4 kg (>9 lb) considered.
• Fish will be inspected by the IPHC Secretariat prior to purchase to ensure that the flesh is firm and has been processed in a manner that maintains the required quality.
• Fish must be toted in ~0.5 tonne (1,200 lb) fiber totes.
• Information on the month of capture, the run for each unit/tote of fish purchased, and tote weight is required. Also, the labeling of totes as IPHC specific product before shipment preferred.
• Must have been caught and processed no earlier than June 2021.

The IPHC will consider quantity offered, size, quality, price and preseason storage location when making purchases. To be included in purchase negotiations, complete the information on the second page of this announcement and submit it to the IPHC Secretariat via e-mail: secretariat@iphc.int  by 11:59pm Pacific Time on 3 September 2021. Purchase agreements will be released to the parties by 17 September 2021.  

As part of our planning, the IPHC would also like information on timing, quantity and location availability of chum salmon between the dates of 1 June and 31 August 2022. This will assist the IPHC in determining possible in-season purchases.

Considerations

During May 2022, fish is shipped to ports specified by the IPHC for the 2022 FISS. Estimated fish needs in 2022 are listed below:

Port	tonnes	pounds		Port	tonnes	pounds
Adak	8.71	19,200		Petersburg	2.72	6,000
Dutch Harbor	17.42	38,400		Port Hardy	10.89	24,000
Homer/Seward	16.87	37,200		Prince Rupert	5.44	12,000
Juneau	3.81	8,400		Sand Point	6.53	14,400
Ketchikan	4.35	9,600		Sitka	1.63	3,600
Kodiak	12.52	27,600		Westport	2.72	6,000
Newport	2.72	6,000		Yakutat	5.99	13,200

If you would like to be included in purchase negotiations, please complete the following table:

Size	Quality	Quantity __kg __lb	Price per __kg __lb	Preseason storage location

If you are able to provide chum salmon between 1 June and 31 August 2022, please expand on estimated quantity, timeframe and location. If you offer additional services with your submission or offer in-season chum salmon, please include an explanation with your response. Vendors who are able to provide cold storage from time of purchase until shipment may be preferred. 

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