West Coast Groundfish Observer Program Manual, Part2 - NOAA

CHAPTER 5
Weight Method 9 – Pacific Halibut Length/Weight
This weight method is ONLY used for Pacific Halibut.
Actual lengths or visually estimated lengths can be used.
Pacific Halibut
The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC)
manages the Pacific Halibut fishery. The IPHC sets the
total allowable catch of Pacific halibut for both the United
States and Canada. Pacific halibut (See Figure 5-15) are a
prohibited species in most of the fisheries off Washington,
Oregon, and California. It is illegal to retain Pacific Halibut
on any vessel fishing in the waters off Washington,
Oregon, and California unless:
• The vessel is participating the Limited Entry
Sablefish fishery.
• The vessel is participating in a Pacific Halibut
opener. These openers usually last only a day or
two.
Figure 5 - 15: Pacific Halibut
1/30/2004 5-47