INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION
Appointed under the Convention between Canada and the United States
of America for the Preservation of the Northern Pacific Halibut Fishery
TECHNICAL REPORT No. 6
The Pacific Halibut
by
F. HEWARD BELL and GILBERT ST-PIERRE
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Commissioners:
HAROLD E. CROWTHER FRANCIS W. MILLERD
MARTIN K. ERIKSEN HAAKON M. SELVAR
L. ADOLPH MATHISEN WILLIAM M. SPRULES
Seattle, Washington, 1970
INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION
FORMER MEMBERS
CANADA
John Pease Babcock, 1924-1936
William A. Found, 1924-1936
A. J. Whitmore, 1936-1948
George J. Alexander, 1936-1937
Lewis W. Patmore, 1937-1943
George W. Nickerson, 1943-1953
Stewart Bates, 1948-1949
George R. Clark, 1949-1955
S. V. Ozere, 1955-1957
Harold S. Helland, 1953-1963
Richard Nelson, 1953-1964
UNITED STATES
Miller Freeman, 1924-1932
Henry O'Malley, 1924-1933
Edward W. Allen, 1932-1955
Frank T. Bell, 1933-1940
Charles E. Jackson, 1940-1946
Milton C. James, 1946-1952
Seton H. Thompson, 1952-1959
J. W. Mendenhall, 1954-1958
Andrew W. Anderson, 1959-1961
Mattias Madsen, 1955-1964
William A. Bates, 1958-1964
CURRENT MEMBERS
William M. Sprules, 1957-
Martin K. Eriksen, 1963-
Francis W. Millerd, 1964-
1970
Harold E. Crowther, 1961-
Haakon M. Selvar, 1964-
L. Adolph Mathisen, 1965-
SCIENTIFIC STAFF
1970
Director of Investigations Bernard E. Skud
Assistant Director Richard J. Myhre
Biologist William H. Hardman
Biologist E. A. Best
Biologist Gordon J. Peltonen
Associate Biologist Kenneth W. Exelby
Associate Biologist Stephen H. Hoag
Assistant Biologist Ian R. McGregor
Assistant Biologist Gilbert St-Pierre
Address Correspondence to:
International Pacific Halibut Commission
P.O. Box 9, University Station
Seattle, Washington 98105
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THE PACIFIC HALIBUT
F. Heward Bell and Gilbert St-Pierre
INTRODUCTION
This report briefly reviews items of general interest regarding the Pacific halibut
and the management of the fishery. It is primarily designed to answer some of the
questions received by the International Pacific Halibut Commission from many
interested groups and individuals, including students at nearly all educational levels.
THE SPECIES AND LIFE HISTORY
Scientific and Common Names
The scientific name for Pacific halibut is Hippoglossus hippoglossus stenolepis
(Vernidub). In 1936 A I. F. Vernidub proposed that Pacific halibut should be re-
garded as a variety of Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus rather than a new
species Hippoglossus stenolepis as Schmidt had indicated in 1904.
The common name of the species is halibut. It came from the earlier "holibut"
which was used as far back as the 13th Century. It is derived from the Middle English
"halybutte", i.e. the flatfish (butte) that was to be eaten on holy (haly) days.
In commerce and with the public, where common names have their main if not
only relevance, the word halibut has been used exclusively to identify the genus
Hippoglossus. With ichthyologists, that is those who study fish, some use the word
halibut in the common name of other large flounders. They continue to conform to
a practice initiated by Jordan, an early ichthyologist, despite the fact that most of
that worker's common names for fishes have now been replaced. Also, those wishing
to take advantage of consumers have used the name halibut in identifying other-
flounders. In 1969 the United States and Canada ruled against use of such misnomers
in commerce to prevent deception of the public.
General Appearance or Morphology
Halibut are more elongated or fusiform than most flatfishes, having a maximum
width of about one-third the length. The small scales are well buried in the skin, the
lateral line has a pronounced arch above the pectoral fin, and the end of the caudal
fin or tail is crescent-shaped or lunate (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Adult Pacific halibut.
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Halibut are right-handed or dextral, with both eyes on the dark or right side.
Probably one halibut in about 25,000 is left-handed or sinistral. The mouth is large,
about one-third the head length, with jaws equally developed and carrying strong
incurved teeth. The pigmentation on the dark side is variable and tends to assume
the color pattern of the ocean's bottom. This protective coloration enables the fish to
avoid detection by both predators and intended prey.
Occurrence
Halibut is a demersal species generally found on the continental shelf in North
Temperate waters. Its distribution both in the Pacific and the Atlantic tends to be
within bottom water temperatures ranging from 37° to 46° Fahrenheit (3° to 8°
Centigrade), which encompass what is scientifically referred to as the boreal zone.
Commercial setline catches in the Northeastern Pacific have been made as deep
as 600 fathoms, i.e. 3600 feet or about 1100 meters, but most halibut in the Pacific
are found in waters from 15 to 150 fathoms (Figure 2).
Pacific halibut have been recorded along 3,500 miles of the North American
coast from Santa Rosa Island off Santa Barbara, California to as far north as Norton
Sound, near Nome. The species also exists across the continental shelf in Bering
Sea, some 700 miles, and throughout an additional 2,000 miles along the Asiatic
Coast, from the Gulf of Anadyr in the north to as far south as the Island of
Hokkaido, Japan.
Reproduction and Development
Spawning takes place over a fairly protracted period of the year. From November
to March mature males and females are found concentrated at places along the edge
of the continental shelf at depths from 125 to 250 fathoms, that is, in water 750
to 1,500 feet deep.
While some females may mature as young as about 8 years of age, others may
be immature until as late as 16 years of age, with the average age of first maturity
for females considered to be 12 vears. Males, on the other hand, mature much
vounger and the average age of first maturity of males is about 7 to 8 years of age.
Spawning probablv occurs annually and a large female mav produce from 2 to
3 million eggs yearly. The number of eggs is proportionate to the weight of the fish.
The eggs, which are about Vs inch in diameter, are spawned in deep waters
at the edge of the continental shelf, and fertilization takes place at that time (Figure
3). The germinal disc of the egg goes through the normal processes of cell division to
form the embryo, which lives off the yolk that makes up the main mass of the egg
(Figure 4).
Figure 3. Early stage of halibut ovum showing
germinal disc. Size: 3.3 mm. (1/8 inch).
Figure 4. Developing halibut embryo.
Size: 2.5 mm. (1/10 inch).
After about 15 davs they hatch, still living off the yolk sac (Figure 5). After
absorption of the yolk the postlarvae must depend upon the external environment for
their food (Figure 6).
Figure 5. Newly-hatched halibut larva showing yolk sac. Size: 1 cm. (3/8 inch).
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Figure 6. Halibut postlarva, yolk has been absorbed. Size: 1.7 cm. (11/16 inch).
Like the eggs and larvae, the postlarvae are free floating and may be transported
many hundreds of miles by the ocean currents, which in the eastern North Pacific
tend to move counterclockwise in the Gulf of Alaska and westward along the
Alaskan Peninsula and Aleutian Islands (Figure 7). The velocity of some parts of this
westward-moving subarctic current and Alaska Stream mav reach as high as 10 knots,
particularlv at the edge of the continental shelf. Thus the floating eggs, the developing
larvae and the postlarvae mav be dispersed far from the point where they were
produced. Eggs produced on the shelf edge in the eastern Gulf of Alaska and even
from more distant grounds to the south could, under some conditions, be the source
of the young found in Bering Sea.
140°
150° l€0°
r70°E 180°
I70°W 160°
150°
140°
130°
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Figure 7. Map of North Pacific, showing main ocean currents. (from Dodimead et al, 1NPFC Bull. 13)
During the free floating stage, lasting up to six months, the postlarvae go
through a number of developmental stages, two of which are indicated in Figures
8 and 9. During this time they rise toward the surface and are carried into the
shallower section of the continental shelf by the prevailing wind-driven currents.
At this time, there is a change in form or metamorphosis, the left eye migrates over
the snout and the young fish are ready to commence their bottom existence as juvenile
halibut possessing the characteristic adult form (Figure 10).
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Figure 8. Halibut mid-postlarva. Size: 2.2 cm. (7/8 inch).
Figure 9. Halibut late postlarva, showing beginning of eye migration. Size: 2.5 cm. (1 inch).
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Figure 10. Young halibut, adapted to life on bottom. Size: 3.5 cm. (1 3/8 inch).
The entire early life history of the halibut, from the time of spawning until they
reach the juvenile stage, is closely adapted to the general ecology and movements of
the water masses of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea.
The younger juveniles, from one to three years old tend to remain on the inshore
grounds before moving offshore where they first enter the commercial setline fishery
in significant numbers at about five to seven years of age.
The survival of the young halibut can be affected by natural variations in the
environment, and, accordingly, some year classes will be more abundant than others.
A series of weak or strong year classes can affect the size or productivity of the
adult population upon which the fishery depends.
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Figure 11. Decline in population of young halibut in Bering Sea shown by
catch per haul of research trawlers.
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Figure 12. Growth rate of female halibut for (Left): the same grounds in different years,
(Right): different grounds within the same year.
The young halibut are also vulnerable to capture by the expanding fleets of
foreign bottom trawlers now Fishing in the northeastern Pacific. Since 1960, annual
surveys by the Halibut Commission have demonstrated that there has been a drastic
decline in the number of young halibut on some grounds (Figure 11). This develop-
ment poses a serious threat to the ultimate survival of the North American setline
halibut fishery.
Age and Growth
Halibut live to a moderately advanced age. The growth rate or increase in size
with age ranges widely from one section of the Pacific Coast to another, and it may
also vary from one period of time to another (Figure 12).
Females grow faster than males and also live longer. The oldest female recorded
was about 42 years, and the oldest male 27 years.
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Figure 13. Otolith from a halibut in its ninth year. Dark rings are the less opaque winter zones.
Rings or annuli are formed each year on
the bones or hard parts of fish as in a tree
due to the succession of the fast summer and
slower winter growing conditions. The oto-
lith, a calcareous or stone-like body in the
internal ear of the halibut (which probably
serves as a hydrostatic or balancing organ),
shows such annual rings (Figure 13).
The Halibut Commission "reads" about
40,000 such otoliths each year to determine
the age composition of the stock and the
growth rate (Figure 14). This information
is essential for the scientific management of
the resource.
Figure 14. Measuring annual zones
for growth studies.
Size of Halibut
Halibut are the largest of all flatfish and one of the largest species of fish in
the world. The largest halibut ever recorded from the northeast Pacific was a 495
pound fish caught off Petersburg, Alaska many years ago. A 507-pound halibut was
reported taken in the Bay of Datt (Sakhalin Island, USSR). In the Atlantic even
larger halibut have been reported, the largest weighing 700 pounds. These large
specimens were over 9 feet in length.
The North American catch of Pacific halibut, causht mostly by setline gear in
the regulated fishery, consists of individuals chiefly from 5 to over 200 pounds (Figure
15). The average size is between 30 and 35 pounds.
Figure 15. Female halibut 23 years old — 257 pounds eviscerated heads-on weight. Worth about
$100.00 at 1970 prices to fishermen.
Trawl-Caught Halibut
In the Pacific halibut fishery the retention of halibut taken by net gear is pro-
hibited. This is necessary because the mesh size of the net gear used in the com-
mercial trawl fishery, while well suited for the capture of the smaller flounders, cod
and other bottom species, tends to catch an unduly large number of small and young
halibut. Such halibut have not reached their optimum or best harvesting size. In
addition, such net gear also fails to adequately crop the larger halibut that should be
caught. Because of these characteristics of trawl nets, a loss of yield from the resource
would result if halibut were harvested by such gear (Figure 16).
In the uncontrolled European halibut fishery, the catch now consists of a large
proportion of individuals 2 to 4 years of age and under 5 pounds, caught chiefly by
trawl net gear designed to catch other species.
77
CENTIMETERS
Figure 16. Size composition of trawl and setline-caught halibut.
The high percentage of small sizes in the unregulated European fishery creates
a demand for imports of the larger sizes of North American setline-caught halibut.
This has resulted in the export of several million pounds of halibut annually from
the Pacific Coast to Great Britain.
Food
Halibut are strong swimmers and their food consists primarily of a large variety
of fishes and, to a lesser extent, of the larger invertebrates such as crab and shrimp.
The species most frequently observed in halibut stomachs include grey cod, sable-
fish, pollock, turbot, hake and, to a lesser extent, assorted rockfish, bullhead and other
bottom fish. Halibut also leave the bottom to actively feed on midwater and pelagic
fish such as sandlance and herring. The juvenile or young halibut (one to three
years of age) subsist chiefly on small Crustacea including shrimp.
Migration of Halibut
Each year thousands of halibut are caught by the Halibut Commission's chartered
fishing vessels and are marked with numbered tags (Figure 17). Rewards are paid to
persons recovering such marked halibut. Between 1925 and 1969 about 179,000 hali-
but were marked and released of which about 27,000 have been recovered to 1969.
Marking has shown that, in some areas and at some seasons, most of the fish
migrate little (Figure 18). In other instances there is. considerable dispersion or migra-
tion (Figure 19). The record migration observed to date by a tagged halibut was from
the Aleutian Islands in western Alaska to northern California, a distance of 2,300
miles along the coast.
Figure 17. Halibut with monel metal strap and plastic-covered wire tag.
Also, assuming the marked fish are representative of all fish on the grounds, the
proportion of marked fish recovered indicates the mortality of the stock or death rate
that can be attributed to fishing, that is, how "hard" the stocks of halibut are
being fished.
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CALIF.
165°
150°
135°
120°
Figure 18. Limited migration shown by halibut tagged on Goose Islands grounds.
711 of 1517 total tagged recaptured at location of tagging.
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Figure 19. Extensive eastward migration of halibut tagged in Bering Sea.
THE FISHERY
The Pacific halibut fishery can be divided into three phases; the Indian fishery,
the early commercial fishery, and the more recent commercial fishery.
Indian Fishery
Halibut, next to salmon, provided subsistence for a number of Pacific Coast
Indian tribes, particularly the Makahs of Cape Flattery, the Haidas of the Queen
Charlotte Islands, and the Tlingits of Southeastern Alaska.
Halibut and other marine animals became part of the folklore of these tribes.
They were commemorated in carved heraldry on totem poles or painted on head
boards covering the fronts of the large clan or community houses. (See the back
cover of this report.)
The Indian hook-and-line fishery was conducted from large canoes, which
ventured as far as 20 miles from shore. These fishermen used well-developed and
efficient techniques. The hooks or gorges were often elaborately carved (Figure 20)
and were selective of the larger fish. Such fish provided large flitches suitable for dry-
ing and smoking purposes.
The large hook may also have caused the fish to "drown" on capture, thereby
permitting them to be more readily taken into the canoe.
Early Commercial Fishery
The early commercial fishery is considered to have commenced in 1888 when
three sailing vessels from the New England States commenced to fish off Cape
Flattery on the northwest coast of Washington Territory. The first car load of
halibut was shipped from Tacoma to Boston in 1888 on the newly completed trans-
continental railroad. After the 1885 completion of the trans-Canada railroad,
Vancouver, British Columbia, became the major center for the fishery by 1892.
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Figure 20. Bent wooden halibut hooks used by Nootka and Kwakiutl Indian tribes (center) and
larger carved types used by Haida and Tlingit tribes.
At the outset, fishing was conducted usually in sheltered waters or in relatively
close proximity to port. Other sailing schooners and sloops joined the fishery during
the next decade (Figure 21), and by the later years of the 19th century, large company-
owned steamers carrying ten to twelve 2-man dories had entered and dominated the
fishery (Figure 22).
;
Figure 21. Sloop "Jennie F. Decker" in 1901, with dories stowed amidships.
12
Figure 22. S.S. "Roman" 1915. Her dories are out "on the gear".
Notwithstanding the important position held by company-owned steamers in the
early 20th century, there was a growing number of smaller, independently-owned
sloops which, bv the earlv 1900's, were powered with gasoline engines. By 1910
several large, two-masted, gasoline-powered vessels, carrying as many as five to seven
dories had joined the fishery (Figure 23). These were referred to as "smoke" boats by
the "steamer" fishermen. Recently they have been referred to as "schooners". The
company-owned steamers gradually declined in numbers due to their higher operating
costs, wrecks and other mishaps coupled with World War I labor problems and a
reduction in the stocks of halibut.
Figure 23. The "Mitkof", a schooner type vessel. Note pilothouse aft and stern chute for setting gear.
13
Recent Commercial Fishery
In the post-World War I years the rising economy, the development of diesel
engines, and expansion of the fishery in the Gulf of Alaska as far west as Unimak
Pass led to a sharp increase during the 1920's in the number of very seaworthy two-
masted vessels or "schooners", most of which were built prior to 1930. They ranged
from about 25 tons to 60 net tons. While they lack some of the versatility of the
seine-boat type, most of the "schooners" still operating in the halibut fishery have
been modernized to take full advantage of new technology.
New propulsion systems, advanced navigation and positioning devices, hydraulic
deck controls, cargo-hold modifications, refrigeration, new types of gear and bait, and
other technological advances have permitted a reduction of about 35 percent in man-
power per vessel. Except for a few Canadian vessels, the halibut fleet consists of vessels
that were built without government subsidy.
The vessels that fish halibut off Southeastern Alaska and British Columbia are
also usually owner-operated; but they are generally smaller and of the "seine boat"
type with a single mast and range from about 5 to 45 net tons. After 1929, additions
to the fleet fishing west of Cape Spencer in the Gulf of Alaska were also of the seine
boat or combination vessel type adaptable to use in other fisheries (Figure 24).
Size of Fleet
The home ports of the major section of the fleet, and the average number of
vessels and men centered therein during the past two five-year periods have been
as follows:
Average Size of United States and Canadian Fleets by Sections of the Coast
Number of Vessels Number of Men
HOME PORT Average Average
1960-1964 1965-1969
Oregon Ports 5 2
Seattle 106 70
Vancouver (Can.) 85 76
Prince Rupert (Can.) 100 86
Other B.C. Ports (Can.) 22 6
Petersburg 53 51
Juneau/Pelican 41 34
Other Alaska Ports 100 62 334 183
.verage
Average
60-1964
1965-1969
17
6
636
401
541
469
448
391
76
19
197
192
169
124
Total -United States . 305 219 1,353 906
Canadian 207 168 1,065 879
Grand Total 512 387 2,418 1,785
In addition to the above fleet of regular halibut vessels about 500 to 600 small,
one- or two-man boats fish halibut with a variety of hook and line gear.
The number of vessels operating from year to year is of interest from an economic
or census standpoint, but it is not a satisfactory measure of available fishing power
unless adjusted at least for changes in average size, efficiency and length of season.
14
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Figure 24. Modern steel seine-boat type "Silver Dolphin" with pilothouse forward and
covered baiting and setting area on stern.
FISHING FOR HALIBUT
For many months prior to the opening of the season, which is set by the Halibut
Commission, the vessels and their propulsion equipment are overhauled at home
ports and readied for the fishery. Such activities generate a great amount of economic
activity and shore employment in the home ports of the vessels.
Labor Relations
Crews operate under closed shop contracts between the various vessel owner
organizations and fishermen's unions on the Pacific Coast. These contracts specify the
responsibilities of each party.
Probably due to the nature of the calling, enlightened leadership, and because
most owner-captains were former crew members, labor relations in the halibut fishery
have been unusually good, with only one or two significant disputes over the past
fifty years.
The Lay or Share
Compensation is on a share basis. The proceeds from the sale of fish are divided
between the crew and owner. The lay or formula used in such division is negotiable
between the owner groups and the fishermen's unions, although the basic allotments
have not changed materially over the past half century. About one-fifth of the gross
proceeds from the sale is the "boat share". From the remainder the trip expenses (such
as food, bait, engine fuel, lost and worn gear) are deducted. The net balance, or
"crew share", is divided equally to all members, including the captain. The latter
also usuallv receives about one-tenth of the boat share.
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The Length of Fishing Season
Initially, the fishery by the larger vessels was conducted over 12 months of the
year. However, most of the catch was made between March to October. In 1924
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the season was legally restricted by a 3-month winter closure, imposed by the first
Halibut Convention. With the implementation of catch limits in 1932, under the
1930 Convention, the season became shorter.
The continued improvement in the stocks under regulation attracted many
vessels to halibut fishing; these vessels were primarily from the salmon fleet, and
joined the halibut fishery between the summer salmon seasons. With rising prices and
growing entrv of such salmon vessels, the halibut fishing season became very short;
by 1954 the season was only 21 days long off the coasts of British Columbia and
Southeastern Alaska and in 1953, 52 davs long in the Gulf of Alaska.
This resulted in the overfishing of some segments of the stocks and probable
underfishing of others that were more available in other seasons of the year.
The 1953 Convention permitted more than one fishing season during any one
vear and enabled the Commission to spread fishing over a longer period of the year.
This, along with a voluntary program of the fleet requiring an eight-day lay-in between
trips, ultimately resulted in fishing seasons of satisfactory length. The season lasts
about four to five months in the main producing areas, which usually are opened in
early May. Short fishing seasons prior to May have been provided in Southeastern
Bering Sea.
Fishing Grounds
Fishing grounds or areas of halibut concentrations are dispersed throughout the
entire range of the fishery from northern California to central Bering Sea. Some of
the main grounds are indicated in Figure 25.
For successful fishing, an intimate knowledge of the depth or bathymetric dis-
tribution of the species and of the technique of setting gear is essential. This is
evident in the fact that catches of vessels operated by more skillful and experienced
captains will far exceed those of others.
Fishing Gear
For convenience in handling, the gear
is made up or "rigged" into units which are
called "skates" (Figure 26). On the Atlantic
Coast such units were called "tubs of trawl".
Tubs or containers in which to coil gear
are rarely used in the Pacific Coast set-
line halibut fishery except on a few small
one- or two-man boats mostly in northern
California.
The skate usually consists of 5 or 6
lines of groundline of 50 fathoms each,
onto which loops of light twine known as
beckets are attached at regular intervals.
Short lines, about 5 feet in length, called
panaions or gangings, are attached to the
beckets and at the other end of the gangion
is a hook. Up to recent years hooks were
bound or "ganged" to the end of the gang-
ion with pine-tar-treated linen thread. Now
eyed hooks are used and these are attached
c. 0, r ., . . , -t . , to a loop in the gangion (Figure 27).
Figure 26. Coiling a skate (unit of gear). "■ r o o o
17
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Figure 27. (Left): Offset hook, ganged or bound to hemp ganging with pine-tar-treated thread.
(Centre): Offset eyed-hook held to loop of nylon ganging. (Right): Attachd to becket in groundline
The intervals between beckets or "rig" of the gear are usually 13, 18, or 21, and
occasionally 26 feet in length. These set intervals facilitate the baiting before setting,
and the coiling while hauling by causing the becket and gangion or ganging with
hook attached to line up properly in the coiled skate.
In the past the gear has been constructed either with hemp, cotton or manila,
or occasionally sisal, depending upon their relative availability, quality and cost.
However, such natural fibers have now been largely displaced by man-made materials,
chiefly nylon, and very infrequently by stainless steel.
Bait
The baits used in the North American
Pacific setline halibut fishery include both
fresh and frozen herring, frozen octopus
and fresh caught "shack" or "gurdy bait"
consisting primarily of grey cod, sablefish,
some turbot, and a scattering of other
species. Frozen shack bait is almost entirely
grey cod and sablefish. Also used, is fresh or
frozen whole salmon or salmon parts, gen-
erally heads and tails.
Fishing Methods
Fishing is conducted in depths usually
between 45 and 150 fathoms, but not in-
frequently may be as shallow as about 15
fathoms or as deep as 300 fathoms. Also,
there are occasional instances of fishing as
deep as 600 fathoms (Figure 28).
Depending upon the grounds, time of
year and bait used, the gear remains in the
water, or is "soaked" for variable periods
from as short as 4 to 6 hours up to 20 to
30 hours (Figure 29).
Figure 28. Hauling gear over rail roller
with power gurdy or winch.
18
LIGHT'
(from U.S. Bur. Comm. Fisheries)
Figure 29. Diagram of halibut gear as set. Instead of wooden kegs, buoys now consist of round,
coloured plastic buoys.
Dressing and Icing Down
According to the size of the vessel, from 5 to 40 tons of crushed or flaked ice
are taken each trip. Many vessels have recently installed refrigeration to slow the
melting process and thus sharply reduce the amount of ice needed. This refriger-
ation also holds the temperature of the fish close to the freezing point of fish but
not below that point.
Halibut are dressed or cleaned soon after they are brought aboard and the
body cavity, or "poke" is scraped and washed. Then the halibut are filled with
ice and stored in layers, dark side down in pens in the hold. Each layer of fish is
insulated from the other with crushed ice.
In the fishery off British Columbia or Southeastern Alaska, the average length
of trip (from port to port) is about 13 days; in the Gulf of Alaska, the average trip
is between 20 and 25 days, depending on the grounds fished and port of landing.
Fishing Records or Logs
The vessels keep a day-to-day log of fishing operations giving the location, the
amount of gear fished, the estimated catch of halibut, as well as other information.
These records are copied by the Halibut Commission at the landing ports and the
data are analyzed by computers (Figure 30).
The catch per unit of gear fished is a statistic used by the Commission as a
measure of the relative abundance of halibut on the grounds. There is both theoretical
and empirical evidence that the catch per standard unit of gear varies proportionately
with the abundance of halibut. In determining the catch per unit of gear, variations
in the construction of the gear and in the baits used require the calculation and use
of standardized factors so that the statistics of stock size are as comparable as possible
from one period of time to another.
19
Figure 30. Transferring catch statistics to
cards for machine processing.
Figure 31. Unloading halibut with net sling.
Sale of Catch
A very large proportion of the total eateh is sold at public fish exchanges and un-
loaded in the major ports; sales are made to the highest bidder in an open auction. The
buyers bid for the listed or "hailed" trips. Halibut between 5 and 10 pounds are
designated in the market as "chickens", those 10 to 60 pounds as "mediums" and over
60 as "large". The halibut in the weight group over 80 pounds are sometimes known
as "whales". Weights are head-off, dressed or eviscerated (Figure 31).
Landing Ports
The major ports of landing are Seattle, Bellingham, Vancouver, Prince Rupert,
Ketchikan, Petersburg, Kodiak and Sand Point. Minor ports include Juneau, Wran-
gell, Pelican and Sitka. The relative importance of the ports of each area is shown
below, giving landings in thousands of pounds for two 5-year periods.
Depending upon grounds fished, some vessels tend to land at their home ports,
while others will tend to land at ports close to the grounds fished. Others, on occasion,
make longer runs after balancing the costs in time against the benefits of the higher
prices prevailing in the more distant railhead ports such as Prince Rupert, Vancouver
and Seattle.
20
Landings of Halibut in Thousands of Pounds by Ports
Average Average
PORT OF LANDING 1960-1964 1965-1969
Seattle . 12,690 6,879
Bellingham 3,153 2,903
Vancouver 6,266 5,571
Prince Rupert .... 17,450 16,317
Ketchikan 8,325 6,284
Petersburg .... 4,685 4,378
Juneau 1,814 1,706
Wrangell 556 383
Pelican 1,616 1 ,44 1
Sitka 1,156 882
Kodiak 1 ,663 4,191
Sand Point 3,880 2,492
Figure 32. Sawing frozen halibut into steaks. (from National Fisherman)
21
Marketing
Halibut is a most versatile species for marketing purposes. Its large size permits
it to be cut into transverse slices or steaks (Figure 32) or to be sliced longitudinally as
boneless fillets or flitches. Is can also be sold in chunks and in measured portions.
It can be successfully frozen whole or in pieces, and has excellent keeping
qualities, both in the fresh and frozen state.
From a dietetic standpoint, halibut is verv low in fat and sodium content,
sharply contrasting with what prevails in some flounders which, from time to time,
have been marketed misleadinglv as halibut.
SPORT CATCH OF HALIBUT
The taking of halibut by sport fisher-
men is usually incidental to saltwater fish-
ing for salmon, except in Alaska where it
is a primary sport objective in a few areas.
However, on all sections of the coast the
large size of halibut tends to make it a
prestige or trophy fish for sportsmen. One
36-pound halibut was taken in Puget Sound
on July 31, 1969 in 22 feet of water; this
catch set a then world record for the Salt-
water Fly Rodders of America in the 10-
pound test tippet class. In Portage Bav,
near Petersburg, Alaska, a 346-pound hali-
but (live weight) was caught by rod in
1969. A 30-pound test leader and 40-pound
test line was used. Sports fishing for hali-
but is not permitted in areas closed to
halibut fishing.
Figure 33.
(from Petersburg Press)
Record rod-caught halibut.
ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE RESOURCE
The Pacific halibut fishery is one of the more valuable fisheries on the North
American continent. By value among foodfish it has usually ranked in the top three
in Canada, and in the top five in the United States. The average annual catches by
decades by the two countries during the past 50 years have been as follows:
Average Annual Catches by United States and Canadian Fleets
In Thousands of Pounds by 10-Year Periods Since 1920
United
DECADE States Canada Total
1920-29 42,591 8,971 51,562
1930-39 38,290 9,874 48,164
1940-49 38,957 15,918 54,875
1950-59 38,296 25,051 63,347
1960-69 31,483 32,167 63,650
22
Despite the relatively low production permitted in 1969, the landed value
reached an all-time high of $22 million. Since regulation began in 1932, the value
of the Canadian catch has increased 18 times and that of the United States has
doubled in terms of United States dollars of equivalent purchasing power in
1932 and 1969.
The cumulative gain in total catch of halibut above what an unregulated fishery
would have produced over the past 37 years has been worth at least $300,000,000
to the North American economy — a very high return from the $5,800,000 that the
United States and Canada combined have provided the Halibut Commission
since 1930.
MANAGEMENT OF THE RESOURCE
The Halibut Conventions or Treaties
The initial 25 years of the Pacific Halibut fishery was a period of unrestrained
exploitation, limited only by market demands. By 1915 the halibut industry ex-
pressed deep concern when expansion to new grounds failed to sustain the total
catch. Also, scientific studies during World War I by the British Columbia Govern-
ment confirmed the fact of depletion of the resource.
Continuing efforts of the industry finally led to the first Halibut Convention
between the United States and Canada in 1923. This provided for three months
closure during the winter spawning season and created the International Fisheries
Commission to investigate the fishery and propose further measures for its rebuilding.
The closed season alone was shown to be ineffective in halting the decline in
the resource and a new Convention was signed in 1930 to broaden the Commission's
regulatory powers. Commission studies proved overfishing was the cause of depletion.
As the stocks were rebuilt, the Conventions of 1937 and 1953 further extended the
authority of the Commission to meet the changed conditions.
The 1953 Convention changed the name of the Commission to the International
Pacific Halibut Commission. The Convention specifically required that all Commission
regulations be based on scientific studies, and that the stocks be developed and main-
tained at levels that would permit the maximum sustained yield.
The International Pacific Halibut Commission
The Halibut Commission consists of six non-salaried members, of whom three
are appointed by the President of the United States of America and three by the
Canadian Governor General in Council. Decisions are made as individuals as there
are no national sections. A Director of Investigations, who is responsible for the staff
of scientists and administrative persons, is employed by the Commission.
All Commission functions are centred at its headquarters in Seattle. They
involve maintaining a comprehensive research program, collecting statistics on the
fishery, developing and administering the regulations, chartering of vessels for field
studies, publishing scientific and administrative reports. Other duties include budget-
ing and disbursing appropriated funds, which are provided in equal shares or moieties
by the two countries.
The Commission holds a regular Annual Meeting and occasionally Special Meet-
ings, usually at its headquarters, but from time to time at other important halibut fish-
ing centres. At Annual Meetings it reviews with the staff and with the industry the
progress of the fishery and results of research. Also, it approves a budget, a research
program and the regulations for the succeeding year.
23
RESULTS OF MANAGEMENT
When management began in 1932 the stocks of halibut were depleted by over-
fishing. Under scientific management the stocks of Pacific halibut were gradually
rebuilt by holding the permitted increases in catch to slightly below what growth and
the new recruits or young fish were providing. This conservation program was carried
out over a period of 30 years in a manner designed to cause as little disturbance as
possible to the industry.
By the earlv 1960's the stock of halibut had reached levels that were providing
the largest vields that the grounds could sustain from year to year. This is referred
to as the maximum sustainable yield or MSY. However, the North American set-
line halibut fleet has not received full benefit from this rebuilt halibut stock.
Since the earlv 1960's there has been an increase in both bottom -fish trawlino
and blackcod (sablefish) setline fishing by foreign vessels over much of the halibut's
range. The domestic trawl fisherv off British Columbia has also increased since 1960.
The losses and removals of halibut by such fishing have sharply diminished the
halibut fleet's share of the increased productivity.
However, these current developments cannot detract from the wisdom and fore-
sight manifested by Canada and the United States nearly 50 years ago when inter-
national management of the halibut resource was instituted by those two countries.
The rebuilt stocks and larger yields continue to be assets of major dimensions
to the fishery economies of both countries. Also, by such husbandry and prolonged
restraint Canada and the United States have acquired a special interest in and a just
claim to the resource.
24
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