The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is requesting bids from commercial longline vessels to conduct a setline survey in the Prince William Sound region. The survey will require approximately 16 fishing days plus additional days for running, loading and offloading gear and fish, foul weather, etc. The survey involves fishing 7 standard skates of conventional fixed-hook gear with 18-foot hook spacing on 45 stations. Trips must be no longer than 6 fishing days. Halibut caught during the survey will be landed in Cordova, Seward, Homer or other local ports. All survey operations must be completed between June 1 and August 31 of 1999. Multi-year bids through the year 2001 will be considered.

The purpose of the IPHC setline survey is to collect standardized data used for halibut stock assessment. Information such as age, sex, maturity, length, location, and CPUE will be collected from all halibut during the survey. Legal-sized halibut and some bycatch will be retained and sold by the IPHC to cover charter expenses.

Vessels bidding for charter must have suitable accommodations for two Commission employees (including women) in addition to an experienced captain and crew capable of fishing long hours and dressing large amounts of halibut. The vessels must 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 not be obligated to accept the lowest bid received, but will contract according to its own best interests. Interested vessel owners must contact the International Pacific Halibut Commission for further information on charter specifications and to obtain tender forms. Bids will be accepted based upon a lump sum payment for the completion of the Prince William Sound region (not a daily rate), plus 10% of the net halibut sales and 50% of bycatch sales. Sealed tenders must be received at the IPHC office in Seattle no later than 12:00 noon on April 15, 1999. Interested parties should contact Steve Hoag (ext. 213), Dan Randolph (ext. 216) or Lisa Rebarchik (ext. 214) for further information.