The International Pacific Halibut Commission’s 2003 Interim Meeting will be held in Seattle, Washington, on November 18-19, 2003 to discuss administrative, financial, and preliminary 2002/2003 research results and future projects. This meeting is not open to the public. On Tuesday, November 18, the Commissioners and Commission staff will meet in a closed session to discuss administrative and financial issues internal to the Commission. The Tuesday meeting will not be open to external agency staff. The following day, Wednesday, November 19, the Commission will meet in an administrative session to hear staff reports on current and proposed future research projects, as well as stock assessment and catch limits. A summary of staff’s assessment of the fishery and catch limit recommendations will be released to the public subsequent to this meeting. Commission delegates from each government determine attendance at the Administrative Session meeting (Nov. 19th session only) and should be contacted for information and attendance requests (US Commissioner Dr. Jim Balsiger, (907) 586-7221, Canadian Commissioner, Dr. Dick Beamish (250) 756-7029). Results from the meeting will be made public in a News Release after the Interim Meeting.

The Eightieth Annual Meeting of the International Pacific Halibut Commission will be held in Juneau, Alaska from Tuesday, January 20 through Friday, January 23, 2004. The sessions will be held at the Juneau Centennial Hall Convention Center in downtown Juneau. A block of rooms has been reserved for attendees at the Westmark Baranof hotel until January 5, 2004 at a special rate of $99.00 U.S. plus taxes. The Westmark Baranof hotel is located at 127 North Franklin Street in downtown Juneau. When making reservations, identify yourself as part of the IPHC 2004 Annual Meeting to receive the special rate and ensure room availability. For reservations please call (907) 586-2660 or (800) 544-0970. Reservations can also be faxed to (907) 586-8315 or visit the web site at http://www.westmarkhotels.com. IPHC has also signed an agreement with Alaska Airlines for a discounted fare. Call Alaska Airlines Group & Meeting Desk at (800) 445-4435 for reservations or use CMA0585 in the Ticket Designator Box.

The Commission will distribute a brief summary of stock assessment information and staff recommendations to the public by early December. This information will also be available on the Commission's web page at http://www.iphc.washington.edu. Requests for 2004 catch limit changes should be submitted to the Commission by December 31, 2003. All information pertaining to the 2004 Annual Meeting, including regulation and catch limit proposal forms can be located by following the Annual Meeting hyperlink on the Commission's web site or by calling the IPHC office at (206) 634-1838.

Requests for 2004 regulatory measures or IPHC management actions should be submitted to the Commission by October 31, 2003. The Commission will not guarantee consideration of proposals received after this date. The submission form can be downloaded from the IPHC web site or can be requested by calling the Commission offices at (206) 634-1838. A summary of all recommendations will be distributed to industry and will also be posted on the IPHC web site.

Monday - Canadian and United States Sectional Meetings will be held on Monday, January 19, 2004. These meetings are informal and run by the respective governments to solicit opinions prior to the IPHC Annual Meeting. Both meetings will be conducted in the Egan Room, Centennial Hall. The U.S. Section meeting will occur at 2:30 p.m. and the Canadian Section meeting will follow at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday On January 20, the Commission will meet in private session from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The public session will run from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon or longer, as required. Harvesters, vessel owners, processors, and all other interested parties are welcome to attend the public session and are encouraged to ask the Commission staff questions. At this session the Commission staff will present the results of recent research, summarize results and assessment of the 2003 halibut fishery, and present its regulatory proposals for the 2004 halibut fishery. Meeting materials will be available on the Commission's web site approximately one week prior to the meeting and by hard copy at the meeting. The IPHC will host an evening reception at 7 p.m.

Wednesday – On January 21st from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Commission will meet privately in an administrative session. The Conference Board and the PAG will also meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to discuss their recommendations for the 2004 fishery. The Halibut Association of North America (HANA), along with Governor and Mrs. Murkowski, will be hosting an evening reception at the Governor’s Mansion at 5 p.m.

Thursday - On January 22nd from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. the Conference Board and the PAG will present their reports to the Commission. From 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon the Commission will meet privately in an administrative session. From 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. the Commission will meet with the Conference Board and the PAG, if necessary.

Friday - On January 23rd from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon the Commission will meet in a public session to make regulatory decisions and set catch limits regarding the 2004 halibut fishery.

Additional Event: Juneau is hosting the Southeast Seafood Industry Trade Show on January 20-21, 2004 in Centennial Hall. For more information or to participate please contact the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at (907) 463-3488.