SEATTLE –  The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) has completed the 102^nd Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM102) held in Bellevue, WA, USA (19-22 January 2026), with decisions on total mortality limits, fishing period dates, and other fishery regulation changes. The adopted report of the meeting may be found at the following link: IPHC-2026-AM102-R. 

The Commission adopted the TCEY mortality limits for each IPHC Regulatory Area as shown in Table 1. The FCEY values resulting from the adopted TCEY mortality limits, are detailed in Table 2.

The total adopted mortality limits for 2026 represent a 1.3% decrease from 2025. For the Contracting Parties, this represents a 0.0% decrease for the USA and a 7.2% decrease for Canada.

Table 1. Adopted TCEY mortality limits for 2026

Table 2. Detailed 2026 projections, by sector, based on the adopted TCEY mortality limits from table 1 (IPHC Regulatory Area).

1^st row: Commercial discards include all discard mortality estimated due to the 32″ minimum size limit, lost gear, and legal-sized discards associated with quota attainment. Estimates not included in the FCEY due to the IPHC Regulatory Area Catch Sharing Plans/Agreements.

2^nd row: Non-directed commercial discards (‘bycatch’) not included in any IPHC Regulatory Area Catch Sharing Plans/Agreements.

3^rd row: Recreational mortality not included in IPHC Regulatory Area Catch Sharing Plans/Agreements, 2B: discards only, 2C and 3A: unguided landings and discard mortality, 3B-4CDE: Recreational landings and discard mortality.

4^th row: 2B-4CDE: Includes personal use and subsistence.

5^th row: rounded total of rows 1-4.

6^th row: 2C and 3A: Commercial discard mortality is included in the Catch Sharing Plans for these areas.

7^th row: 2A: All recreational landings and discard mortality, 2B: Recreational landings, 2C and 3A: Guided recreational landings and discard mortality.

8^th row: 2A only: Ceremonial and subsistence mortality

10^th row: All mortality included in IPHC Regulatory Area Catch Sharing Plans/Agreements.

The IPHC recommended an overall fishing period beginning at 06:00 local time on 26 March 2026 to 23:59 local time on 7 December 2026 for all directed commercial Pacific halibut fisheries in Canada and the USA.

In accordance with the IPHC Convention, the Fishery Regulations approved by the IPHC, including mortality limits, and fishing periods, will be recommended to the Contracting Parties for implementation according to their domestic laws and regulations.

The final report, and all meeting materials are available on the IPHC website: https://www.iphc.int/meetings/102nd-session-of-the-iphc-annual-meeting-am102/

SEATTLE – In accordance with Section 9 (Commercial Fishing Periods) of the IPHC Fishery Regulations, “All commercial fishing for Pacific halibut in all IPHC Regulatory Areas shall cease for the year at 23:59 local time on 7 December.”

Logbook Submission Requirement

The IPHC reminds all vessel operators fishing for Pacific halibut of the following logbook submission requirement under Section 19 of the IPHC Fishery Regulations:

• United States vessels operating in waters off Alaska and in IPHC Regulatory Area 2A must submit logbooks to the Commission within 30 days of the fishing period closing date, if not previously submitted;
• Canadian vessels must submit logbooks within seven days of the final offload if they have not already been collected by an authorised representative of the Commission.

We hope everyone had a safe and successful fishing year, and we look forward to seeing you all at the 102^nd Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM102) in Bellevue, WA, USA, in January 2026.

SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is calling for bids to supply 72.39 metric tons (159,600 pounds) of chum salmon for the 2026 Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS). Bids on all or a part of this amount are welcome.

The following volumes in each of Canada and the United States of America (USA) are needed:

• Canada:
  • 30 metric tons (62,400 pounds)
• USA:
  • 09 metric tons (97,200 pounds)

The FISS is a critical component of the IPHC’s monitoring activities, and securing an adequate bait supply is essential to the successful monitoring and subsequent management of Pacific halibut for both countries.

Due to the scientific nature of the FISS, the IPHC requires food-grade chum salmon.

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)
• Product may be inspected by the IPHC Secretariat prior to purchase to ensure that the fish was flash frozen to ensure firm flesh and has been processed in a manner that maintains the required quality.
• Product must be toted in ~0.544 metric ton (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 (the labeling of totes as ‘IPHC Research’ product before shipment is necessary.
• Must have been caught and processed no earlier than 1 June 2025.

The IPHC will consider the quantity, size, quality, price, and preseason storage or supply location when making purchases. To be included in initial purchase negotiations, please complete the information on the second page of this announcement and submit it to the IPHC Secretariat via e-mail: secretariat@iphc.int.

This call for bids is open until filled. Purchase agreements will be released to the parties by 1 November 2025 or upon review of a bid. 

Please complete the following table if you would like to be included in purchase negotiations:

SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) will initially require up to 72.39 metric tons (159,600 pounds) of chum salmon for the 2026 Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS). 28.30 metric tons (62,400 pounds) are needed in Canada and 44.09 metric tons (97,200 pounds) are needed in the United States.

Due to the scientific nature of the study, IPHC quality requirements and standardization 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 may 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 ~0.544 metric ton (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 is preferred.
• Must have been caught and processed no earlier than June 2025.

The IPHC will consider quantity offered, size, quality, price and preseason storage or supply location when making purchases. To be included in initial 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 17 August 2025. Purchase agreements will be released to the parties by 1 September 2025. 

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 2026. This will assist the IPHC in determining possible in-season purchases.

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