TRAWL CHARTER OPPORTUNITY

The International Pacific Halibut Commission plans to charter a trawl vessel for a halibut tagging project in 1995. The charter will be conducted in the vicinity of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska and will be approximately 30 days in length, including 20 fishing days. The starting date of the charter will be decided by mutual agreement between the Commission and the vessel operator/owner. A preferred schedule would begin in the spring, following the closure of the Pacific cod fishery in the Gulf of Alaska (approximately mid-April). A summer schedule for the charter would be a second choice. The charter will begin and end in Kodiak, Alaska.

The charter is being conducted to investigate the mortality to halibut caught as bycatch in trawls and discarded. Approximately 10,000 halibut will be tagged to monitor long-term mortality, and an additional 1,500 will be placed in cages to estimate short-term mortality. The fishing plan calls for 3 to 4 tows per day of varying duration.

The vessel operator and crew must be experienced trawl fishermen. The vessel must be fully equipped for trawl fishing and the operator will supply all gear necessary to trawl for Pacific cod and shallow water flatfish. The vessel must be seaworthy and have adequate accommodations for at least six scientists, including women. In addition, the vessel should have adequate deck space for tagging halibut and for the cages, which will require roughly 250 square feet of on-deck storage space. Marketable groundfish will be retained on the vessel for sale in Kodiak by the Commission.

The Commission is not restricted as to the nationality of the chartered vessel. In addition, the Commission will not be obligated to accept the lowest bid received, but will contract according to its best interests. A United States vessel may be required to pass a limited Coast Guard inspection prior to being awarded the charter.

Vessel owners interested in this charter should contact the International Pacific Halibut Commission for information regarding charter terms and bid forms. Bidders should indicate a preferred schedule for the charter. Bids will be made on a daily rate. Sealed tenders must be received at the Commission's office in Seattle not later than March 10, 1995.

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