West Coast Groundfish Observer Program Manual, Part2 - NOAA

CHAPTER 6
3. Hook and Line Gear -“Viability Criteria and Injury
Key for Hook and Line Caught Pacific Halibut”
(Appendix M)
• MI – Minor
• MO – Moderate
• S – Severe
• D - Dead
Pacific halibut are often quite large and will be longer than
the 100 cm length strips (See Figure 6-11). Prepare to take
viabilities and lengths by offsetting the length strip by 20 or
more centimeters. On the length strip, replace the M (male)
and F (female) markings with the set of viability codes
applicable to the gear type being used. As each Pacific
halibut is measured and checked for injuries, a hatch mark
will be recorded on the length strip for the appropriate
length and viability.
Collecting Viabilities and Lengths from Pacific Halibut
Pacific halibut viabilities should NEVER be guessed.
Always have the Pacific halibut in hand when taking
viabilities.
In addition, viabilities should reflect the normal handling
of Pacific halibut by the crew. If the vessel does not
discard fish immediately, do not take the viabilities until the
crew is preparing to discard the fish. The purpose of
taking viabilities is to ascertain the condition of the fish
when it returns to the sea.
1/30/2004 6-29