June 18, 2007

Charter Announcement:
IPHC Requests Vessel Bids for Dogfish Avoidance Charter

The International Pacific Halibut Commission is seeking a vessel to conduct a short experiment using hook and line gear during the early fall of 2007 in the Yakutat region of Alaska.  This is a cooperative project with the National Marine Fisheries Service.  The vessel may be rigged with either tub or snap type setline gear. The charter will run for approximately 8 days, starting at a port in Alaska mutually agreeable to both the Commission and the successful bidder.  We are anticipating starting in either Sitka or Yakutat, but will consider other ports where dogfish and halibut catches may be encountered.  There will be one day for loading and gear testing, and then six fishing days. 

While the specific charter dates are flexible, the charter must be conducted between September 8 and September 30, 2007. The project will require two or three scientific staff on the vessel.  We may allow an exception to the length requirement for a vessel which would conduct consecutive daytrips out of Yakutat.  We will consider bids from smaller vessels that would come back into port each day to sell fish.  In this case, the scientific party would have accommodations on shore.  We will consider our shore costs when evaluating bids from boats which would operate daily trips.

The purpose of the study is to determine, by fishing trials, the effects of presence and absence of rare earth metals (mischmetals) on the catches of dogfish and Pacific halibut. The hypothesis is that the presence of these metal pieces will deter hook attacks by dogfish.  We have already demonstrated this effect in the laboratory, and hope to see the same in field studies.

Vessel owners are asked to submit a bid based upon a single lump sum rate for the completion of the project, including crew and fuel expenses. Vessels must have appropriate systems for deployment and retrieval of setline gear.  Vessels need not be licensed for halibut fishing to be eligible.  The Commission is not restricted as to nationality of the vessels, but the vessel is responsible for compliance with all customs regulations.  The lowest or any bid will not necessarily be accepted and the Commission will contract according to its own best interests.  The IPHC will evaluate bids based on (1) experience of captain and crew, (2) characteristics and safety features of the vessel, (3) dates on which the vessel is available for charter, and (4) IPHC operating costs.

For a copy of the charter specifications and bid forms, contact the IPHC offices or download from the IPHC web site. For additional information, please contact Steve Kaimmer (ext. 210).  Bids must be received at the IPHC office in Seattle by 12:00 noon (Pacific Daylight Time) on Monday, July 30, 2007.

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