SEATTLE – The IPHC is pleased to invite all interested parties to attend the 10th Special Session of the IPHC (SS010), which will be held on 22 February 2021 from 11:00-12:00 hrs (or as needed, PST).
The Special Session is being held to consider a Fishery Regulation proposal from Canada:
IPHC-2021-SS010-PropB1: Recreational (Sport) Fishing for Pacific Halibut—IPHC Regulatory Area 2B (Sect. 28) (Canada)
The meeting will be held via the Adobe Connect meeting platform and you are requested to register via the meeting page to obtain a link to the session.
SEATTLE – In order to capture the economic impacts of Pacific halibut, the IPHC has designed a series of surveys to gather information from the sectors relying on this resource. Developing an accurate and representative Pacific halibut multiregional economic impact assessment (PHMEIA) model requires active participation of our stakeholders, who we ask for necessary data for analysis.
Active participants to the Pacific halibut fisheries (commercial, processing, and charter sector) can complete the following surveys for 2020, but also retrospectively submit information for 2019. The benefits of providing both year’s information are:
Data for 2019, covers pre-covid-19 operations, can be considered a baseline suitable for drawing conclusions under normal circumstances and used for predictions.
Data for 2020, covers an abnormal year of operations, can be used to assess losses incurred by the Pacific halibut sectors, but also sectors’ resilience to unfavorable circumstances.
Please fill in the IPHC economic survey by clicking the following links:
SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) completed the 97th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM097) on 29 January 2021 with decisions on total mortality limits, fishery limits, fishing period dates, and other fishery regulation changes. A total of 270 individuals attended the meeting via the electronic platform.
IPHC Media Release 2021-005 reported the initial results of AM097. Selected additional elements of the Report of the 97th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting are highlighted below.
PACIFIC HALIBUT STOCK STATUS AND OUTLOOK
The Commission NOTED the following scientific advice from the IPHC Secretariat:
“Sources of mortality: In 2020, total Pacific halibut mortality due to fishing was down to 35.50 million pounds (16,103 t) from 39.87 million pounds (18,086 t) in 2019. Of that total, 84% comprised the retained catch, up from 81% in 2019.”
“Stock status (spawning biomass): Current (beginning of 2021) female spawning biomass is estimated to be 192 million pounds (87,050 t), which corresponds to a 41% chance of being below the IPHC trigger reference point of SB30%, and less than a 1% chance of being below the IPHC limit reference point of SB20%. Relative female spawning biomass at the beginning of 2021 was estimated to be at 33% of the unfished state, with a 41% chance of being below the IPHC trigger reference point of SB30%, and less than a 1% chance of being below the IPHC limit reference point of SB20%. Therefore, the stock is considered to be ‘not overfished’ (SB2021 > SB20%). Projections indicate that mortality consistent with the interim management procedure reference fishing intensity (F43%) is likely to result in further declining biomass levels in the near future.”
“Fishing intensity: The 2020 mortality corresponded to a point estimate of SPR = 48%; there is a 38% chance that fishing intensity exceeded the IPHC’s current reference level of 43%. The Commission does not currently have a coastwide fishing intensity limit reference point. However, given that the stock is above the spawning biomass limit reference point, the stock is by default classified as ‘not subject to overfishing’.”
“Stock distribution: The proportion of the coastwide stock represented by Biological Region 3 has been decreasing since 2004, and increasing in Biological Regions 2 and 4. However, there was an increase in Biological Region 3 in 2020 and a decrease in Biological Region 2. Biological Region 4 is near the historical high estimated for 2019, and has shown an increasing trend since the early 1990s.”
The Commission NOTED the following outlook for the stock provided by the IPHC Secretariat:
“Outlook. The stock is projected to decrease with at least a 51% chance over the period from 2021-23 for all TCEYs greater than the “3-year surplus” of 24.4 million pounds (~11,068 t), corresponding to a projected SPR of 58% (credible interval 39-76%). At the status quo TCEY (36.6 million lb, (~16,600 t)), the probability of spawning biomass decline is 62% and 61% for one and three years, respectively. At the reference level (a projected SPR of 43%) the probability of spawning biomass declining to 2022 is 65%, decreasing to 63% in three years, as the 2011 and 2012 cohorts mature. The one-year risk of the stock dropping below SB30% ranges from 35% (at the 3-year surplus level) to 41% at the reference TCEY. Over three years these probabilities range from 29% to 44% depending on the level of mortality.”
IPHC PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHERY REGULATIONS 2021
The Commission approved a series of IPHC fishery regulation changes for 2021, including fishery limits and fishing periods. In accordance with the IPHC Convention[1], the fishery regulations approved by the IPHC have been recommended to the Contracting Parties for implementation according to their domestic laws. The complete IPHC Fishery Regulations (2021) approved by the Commission will be published on the IPHC website in the coming days (https://www.iphc.int/the-commission).
Morality and Fishery Limits (Sect. 5)
The Commission ADOPTED the distributed mortality limits for each Contracting Party, by IPHC Regulatory Area and sector, as provided below:
Adopted TCEY mortality limits for 2021
Contracting PartyIPHC Regulatory Area
Mortality limit (TCEY) (metric tonnes)
Mortality limit (TCEY) (mlbs)
Canada Total: 2B
3,175
7.00
USA: 2A
748
1.65
USA: 2C
2,631
5.80
USA: 3A
6,350
14.00
USA: 3B
1,415
3.12
USA: 4A
930
2.05
USA: 4B
635
1.40
USA: 4CDE
1,805
3.98
United States of America Total
14,515
32.00
Total (IPHC Convention Area)
17,690
39.00
Commercial fishing periods (Sect. 9)
The Commission ADOPTED fishing periods for 2021 as provided below, thereby superseding the relevant portions of Section 9 of the IPHC Pacific halibut fishery regulations by specifying that commercial fishing for Pacific halibut in all IPHC Regulatory Areas may begin no earlier than 6 March and must cease on 7 December.
The Commission ADOPTED changes to the derby season structure for the IPHC Regulatory Area 2A fishery from openings Monday through Wednesday, to openings Tuesday through Thursday.
Charter management measures in IPHC Regulatory Areas 2C and 3A (Sect. 29)
The Commission ADOPTED changes for charter recreational Pacific halibut fisheries in IPHC Regulatory Areas 2C and 3A, in order to achieve the charter Pacific halibut allocation under the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council’s (NPFMC) Pacific halibut Catch Sharing Plan:
IPHC Regulatory Area 2C – one-fish bag limit with size limit of less than or equal to 50 inches or greater than or equal to 72 inches;
IPHC Regulatory Area 3A – two-fish bag limit with one fish of any size and a second fish less than or equal to 32 inches, Wednesdays closed to retention of Pacific halibut, one trip per vessel and one trip per permit per day (no annual limit).
OTHER ACTIONS
Commercial Fishing Period
The Commission RECOMMENDED that further consultations between Contracting Parties and fishery stakeholders on the administrative and policy implications of a year round fishery would support the decision process for the 98th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM098; January 2022) on potential further extensions of the direct commercial fishing period.
IPHC Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS)
The Commission NOTED the updated information presented by the IPHC Secretariat on IPHC Regulatory Areas 4B and 2A FISS design, costs and estimated revenues. No further amendments to the 2021 FISS design approved at the 9th Special Session of the Commission (SS09) were made.
Figure. Optimised ‘minimum 2021 FISS design’ (orange circles) based on randomised sampling in 2B-3B, and a subarea design elsewhere. Purple circles are not planned for sampling in 2021.
Upcoming IPHC meetings
Meeting
Date
Location
97th Session of the IPHC Interim Meeting (IM097)
30 November – 1 December 2021
Seattle, WA, USA
98th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM098)
24-28 January 2022
Seattle/Bellevue, WA, USA
Officers of the Commission
The Commission elected Mr Glenn Merrill (USA) as Chairperson of the IPHC, and Mr Paul Ryall (Canada) as Vice-Chairperson of the IPHC.
For further information please contact the IPHC Secretariat at secretariat@iphc.int or 206.634.1838.
[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.
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) is extending the request for tender for the 2021 Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS) following recent updates to the tender specifications (IPHC-2021-FISS-RFT Rev_1). Submissions must be completed no later than 23:59 (Pacific) on 15 February 2021.
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) IPHC is seeking to charter longline vessels to conduct the 2021 FISS. The primary purpose of the FISS is to collect standardised data for use in the Pacific halibut stock assessment.
The 2021 FISS will cover 25 charter regions within the IPHC Convention Area with a standard grid of stations from Oregon to the northern Bering Sea, including the Aleutian Islands. The FISS must be completed between 29 May and 31 August 2021.
The IPHC will consider only those vessels with captains and crews that have recent (within five years) Pacific halibut fishing experience. The IPHC may require an inspection of the vessel prior to awarding the charter.
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.
Interested vessel owners are invited to submit tenders based upon the 2021 IPHC Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS) Vessel Tender Specifications. The Tender Specifications and Vessel Tender Forms for this project may be downloaded and accessed directly from the IPHC website: Vessel Recruiting | IPHC.
Please note the update to insurance requirements in Section J. Prior to commencement of the FISS, owners of vessels shall provide the IPHC validation of coverage, including but not limited to, a copy of the insurance policy verifying that all IPHC Secretariat are included on the vessel’s P&I insurance policy as either a crewman or business invitee, and that the IPHC is listed as an additional insured or co-insured on the P&I policy for the term of the FISS agreement. The policy must provide protection with minimum limits of $1,000,000 USD or $1,000,000 CAD if vessel is licensed in Canada. The IPHC will not reimburse the owner for any premiums incurred to meet their obligations here. Owners should incorporate these costs into their Tender.
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
