Charter Announcement
IPHC Requests Bids For Areas 2B and 3

The International Pacific Halibut Commission is seeking commercial longline vessels to conduct setline surveys on Pacific halibut in British Columbia and the Gulf of Alaska during June-August 2001. Survey operations will involve fishing standardized gear at specified stations. There are 6 charter regions available, each expected to take approximately 20 to 35 days to complete.

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.

Two Area 2B regions (Vancouver, Charlotte) and four charter regions in Area 3 (Chignik, Gore Point, Seward, Yakutat) are open. Vessel owners interested in surveys are asked to submit bids based upon standard IPHC contract structure. Bids will be accepted based upon a lump sum payment for the completion of a region, plus 10% of the net halibut sales and 50% of selected bycatch sales. Vessels may bid up to 3 regions. Charter specifications and Vessel Tender Forms may be requested from the Commission or downloaded from the IPHC web site. The IPHC will evaluate bids based on (1) the experience of captain and crew with halibut fishing, (2) the characteristics and safety features of the vessel, and (3) IPHC operating costs.

The IPHC will consider only those vessels with captains and crews that have halibut fishing experience. Vessels bidding for charter must have adequate deck space and suitable accommodations for two Commission employees (including women). 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.

Vessels need not be licensed for halibut fishing in Canada or the U.S. to be eligible. The Commission is not restricted as to nationality of the vessels it charters for operation in any area as long as custom regulations are followed. The lowest or any bid will not necessarily be accepted and the Commission will contract according to its own best interests. For further information please contact Kelly Van Wormer (ext. 202) or Heather Gilroy (ext. 206). Bids must be received at the IPHC office in Seattle no later than March 15, 2001.

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