This information is used to study aspects of the halibut resource such as growth, distribution, biomass, age composition, sexual maturity, and relative abundance of other species. Legal-sized halibut from all skates and some bycatch will be retained, sampled for biological data, and sold by the IPHC to reduce charter expenses.
The 2015 setline survey will cover 30 regions, from Oregon to the northern Bering Sea including the Aleutian Islands.
The 2015 fishing effort includes the eastern Bering Sea flats (last fished in 2006). All regions are open for single year bids.
Vessels will fish seven skates of gear at each station (five skates on the eastern Bering Sea flats) following standard survey protocol. A maximum of four stations will be permitted per day. Most regions require 12 - 22 fishing days plus additional days for running, loading and offloading gear and fish, foul weather days, etc.
Depending on the region, total charter duration can be expected to be 20 - 36 days. Vessels are encouraged to bid for multiple areas, and may be awarded up to three regions. Survey fishing must be completed between May 24 and August 31, 2015.
Vessels need not be licensed for halibut fishing in Canada or the US to be eligible. The IPHC is not restricted as to nationality of the vessels it charters for operation in any area as long as customs regulations are followed.
The IPHC will consider only those vessels with captains and crews that have halibut fishing experience.
Most areas require vessels that have adequate deck space and suitable accommodations for two to three Commission employees (who may be women).
Vessels must supply conventional fixed-hook setline gear built to Commission Standards (see Charter Specifications) as well as all associated equipment normally required for commercial halibut fishing.
Interested vessel owners are invited to submit bids based upon standard IPHC contract structure.
For further information please contact Claude Dykstra (ext. 7662), Tracee Geernaert (ext. 7665), or Heather Gilroy (ext. 7666) at (206) 634-1838.
Charter Specifications and Vessel Tender Forms for this project may be requested from the Commission or downloaded from the IPHC web site (www.iphc.int).
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