August 25, 1997    

ATTENTION HALIBUT BUYERS: 1998 IPHC SURVEY FISH SALES AND BAIT PURCHASES

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) will be conducting research aboard longline vessels in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska from June through August, 1998. The 1998 survey will be similar in scope to the 1997 survey, and similar fish sales and bait purchases are expected.

The IPHC, however, is considering a different approach to fish sales and bait purchases in 1998 to streamline operations and minimize logistical problems associated with a large survey. The IPHC will consider making preseason arrangements with fish buyers to purchase and store bait in ports that are close to the fishing grounds and have adequate facilities. Further, the IPHC may also agree to sell halibut and groundfish caught in the survey directly, ie., without an auction, in some ports if the fish buyer will provide needed services including ice and bait storage, and guarantee fair market price for the fish sold. Direct sales are most likely to occur in Alaska ports where services are often limited and halibut prices tend to be similar among buyers. The IPHC welcomes suggestions and offers from fish buyers in ports throughout the survey area at this time, and anticipates finalizing arrangements by November, 1997.

The IPHC requires chum salmon for bait and it must be at least No. 2 semi-bright or better quality. A summary of the estmated bait needs by port are provided below:
 

In addition to providing bait and other services, the IPHC will only consider direct sales to buyers who provide a "posted" or "dock" price or other means of assuring the IPHC of fair market value for its fish. The amount of halibut and groundfish sold will vary with operation. Operations in Alaska usually involve multiple landings of 20,000 to 40,000 pounds each. Lesser amounts of sablefish and rockfish taken as bycatch are also landed. Several operations with perhaps a total of more than 100,000 pounds of halibut are anticipated in the Dutch Harbor-Pribilof area. Operations in British Columbia usually involve multiple landings of 10,000-20,000 pounds of halibut each and several thousand pounds of rockfish. Oregon and Washington landings will likely be less than 5,000 pounds with small amounts of rockfish.

Decisions on direct sales will be part of the public record, and available to all buyers. The IPHC is committed to providing as much opportunity as possible for all buyers to participate in IPHC fish sales and bait purchases while at the same time assuring that the surveys are completed in a timely and efficient manner. Interested buyers should contact Steve Hoag, Bob Trumble or Gerry Lariviere at P.O. Box 95009, Seattle Washington 98145-2009; Phone (206) 634-1838 or Fax: (206) 632-2983.

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