2 February 2021
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
