IPHC NOTIFIES INDUSTRY OF HALIBUT SALES
RESEARCH FISHING IN 2000

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) will be conducting research operations off British Columbia and Alaska during 2000 and will be landing halibut caught during the operations to offset costs associated with conducting the research programs. Small amounts of rockfish and Pacific cod may also be landed. This news release is intended to notify the industry of IPHC's plans and seeks suggestions from industry on how IPHC might improve sales arrangements in 2000.

Our intent is to base our operations for British Columbia (Area 2B) and Southeast Alaska (Area 2C) in Prince Rupert, B.C. and our operations for the Gulf of Alaska (Areas 3A and 3B) in Homer and Seward, Alaska. We plan to sell our fish to the highest bidder in these ports and are soliciting buyers that would like to be informed of pending sales. Some of our research fishing is a long distance from these ports, so we will also consider proposals for offloading at other ports that may be closer to or within a vessel’s area of operation. We plan to conduct all sales through our Seattle office, and will notify buyers as far ahead of landing as possible.

We anticipate that all landings will be between May and September. The size of the landings will depend on fishing success during our research operations. Approximately 15 vessels may be involved in the survey, and trip size usually ranges from 10,000 to 50,000 pounds. We are working closely with all of our research vessels to bring in the highest quality of fish possible and welcome suggestions from industry on how we might maintain or improve our quality standards.

Please contact Steve Hoag (ext. 212) or Dan Randolph (ext. 213) if you have suggestions or would like further information.