IPHC Looks to Winter Research!

The International Pacific Halibut Commission is seeking commercial longline vessels to conduct setline research on Pacific halibut in the Gulf of Alaska from December 1998 through February 1999, with a break for the Christmas and New Year’s Holiday Season. One or more vessels will operate from either Homer, Kodiak, or Seward, Alaska and one or more vessels will operate from Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Revenue from fish sales and expenses for ice, bait, and fuel will be shared equally by the vessel and IPHC. Limited retention of rockfish and Pacific cod bycatch may be allowed.

The IPHC winter research will include collection of data for sexual maturity, otolith composition, bait type, stock identification, and fishing gear studies. The IPHC infrequently conducts winter research investigations and these will be the first winter research since 1981-1982. Trips are expected to last less than one week and frequency of trips will be dependent on weather. The total landings of halibut will be limited to 300,000 pounds in each port.

The IPHC will consider only those vessels and captains that have a history of commercial halibut fishing. Vessels must have suitable accommodations for two or three Commission employees (including women) in addition to an experienced captain and crew, capable of fishing 50 or 60 skates of gear per day and handling large quantities of halibut in adverse weather conditions. The IPHC will evaluate vessels primarily on the experience and production of captain and crew with longline fishing, on the safety features of the vessel, and operating costs. Vessels must have shelter decks to protect personnel from weather. The vessels will supply conventional fixed-hook setline gear built to Commission specifications as well as all associated equipment normally required for commercial halibut fishing.

The Commission is not restricted as to nationality of the vessels it charters for operation in any area and will contract according to its own best interests. Interested owners must contact the International Pacific Halibut Commission for further information on charter specifications and to obtain tender forms. Sealed tenders must be received at the IPHC office in Seattle no later than 12:00 noon. on Monday, October 26, 1998. Interested parties should contact Cal Blood, Steve Hoag or Bob Trumble at (206) 634-1838 for further information.