23 August 2022

SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) will require approximately 105 tonnes (210,000 pounds) of fish for the 2023 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 2022.

The IPHC will consider quantity offered, size, quality, price and preseason storage or supply 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 5 September 2022. Purchase agreements will be released to the parties by 16 September 2022. 

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 2023. This will assist the IPHC in determining possible in-season purchases.

Considerations

During May 2023, fish is shipped to ports specified by the IPHC for the 2023 FISS. Estimated fish needs in 2023 are listed below:

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

If you are able to provide chum salmon between 1 June and 31 August 2023 at any of the above locations, please expand on estimated quantity, timeframe and location. If you offer additional services with your submission (i.e. storage or loading costs), please include an explanation with your response.

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

11 August 2022

SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is very pleased to announce that Ms Lucy Hankins of Seward, Alaska, has been awarded the 2022 IPHC Merit Scholarship.

Ms Hankins is attending Utah State University to undertake a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in aviation technology, and we wish her well in her studies.

We would also like to thank the IPHC Merit Scholarship Panel who had a very difficult task separating an outstanding applicant pool.

• Robert Alverson (Commissioner USA)
• Peter DeGreef (Commissioner Canada)
• Patrick DePoe
• Angel Drobnica
• Christa Rusel

Background: The IPHC Merit Scholarship was established to provide educational assistance to students from Canada and the U.S.A., who are connected to the Pacific halibut fishery and its industry. The US$4,000 scholarships are renewable annually for the normal four-year period of undergraduate education, subject to maintenance of satisfactory academic performance. A single new scholarship is awarded every two years.

Profiles of previous recipients may be viewed on the IPHC website:

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

5 August 2022

Closure: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced that their recreational Pacific halibut fishery in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A will close Sunday, 7 August 2022 at 11:59 p.m. (PDT).

For more information, please view the California Department of Fish and Wildlife media release at: CDFW News | Recreational Pacific Halibut Fishery to Close August 7 (ca.gov)

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

2 August 2022

SEATTLE – Closure: The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has closed the  IPHC Regulatory Area 2A Pacific halibut non-treaty directed commercial fishery (the fishery) for the remainder of 2022.

2022 Fishery statistics:

• The 2022 total allocation for this fishery is 114.64 metric tonnes (252,730 pounds).
• An estimated 109.5 metric tonnes (241,365 pounds) have been landed during the three (3) 2022 fishing periods (28 to 30 June, 12 to 14 July, and 26 to 28 July).

Given this estimate, its preliminary status, and that updates are still being received for each fishing period which could result in a higher overall catch than we estimate here, the IPHC has closed this fishery for the remainder of 2022 effective immediately.

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

21 July 2022

SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has established the fishing period limits for all licensed vessels for the third (26 to 28 July 2022) fishing period for the non-treaty directed commercial fishery (the fishery) in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A. The overall annual allocation for this fishery in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A for 2022 is 114.64 metric tons (252,730 pounds).

2022 Fishery statistics:

• An estimated total of 39 tonnes (86,000 pounds) were landed during the first (28 to 30 June 2022) fishing period.
• An estimated total of 35 tonnes (78,000 pounds) were landed during the second (12 to 14 July 2022) fishing period.
• An estimated total of 39 tonnes (86,000 pounds) remain to be caught.

The IPHC has determined that a third fishing period will be held on 26 to 28 July 2022 with fishing period limits by vessel class listed below. The third fishing period will begin at 0800 on 26 July 2022 and end at 1800 on 28 July 2022 local time. The fishery is restricted to waters south of Point Chehalis, Washington (46°53.30’ N. latitude). The following fishing period limits will be in effect for this fishing period by vessel class:

The fishing period landing 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 landing limit above is a dressed, head-on weight, and stakeholders are reminded that regulations require that all Pacific halibut be landed with the head naturally attached. Additionally, stakeholders are reminded that there is a 72-hour rule, whereby a vessel that will be used in this fishery may not be used to fish for any species of fish anywhere in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A during the 72-hour period immediately prior to this fishing period unless all retained 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 International Pacific Halibut Commission Fishery Regulations 2022, sections 18(7) and 18(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 26 to 28 July fishing period, the IPHC may establish and announce fishing period landing limits for subsequent fishing periods in 2022, dependent upon allocation remaining for the fishery.

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