International Pacific Halibut Commission

27/08/2026

Hello from the Pacific Halibut Fishing Capital of the World!

It's been a very busy fishing period here in Homer. As of 23 August 2026, there have been 272 Pacific halibut landings totaling 857,344 kg (1,890,116 lbs) landed, making Homer the busiest Pacific halibut port in Alaska in 2026!

Pacific halibut deliveries have remained remarkably consistent all summer and haven't slowed down, even during what's typically the quieter salmon season. Pacific halibut from Areas 3A and 3B have been plentiful with even some IPHC Regulatory Area 4A fish making their way to Homer.

So far this fishing period, I've sampled more than 1,200 Pacific halibut, and with more than three months still left, I expect to collect many more!

This is my third year sampling in Homer and my fifth year sampling for the IPHC, and I'm grateful to continue this work supporting the ongoing monitoring and research of Pacific halibut.

Here's to a busy season and many more fish to come!

30/07/2026

IPHC-2026-MR-012
Attention Salmon Processors - Chum Salmon Needed for the 2027 IPHC Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS)

30 July 2026

SEATTLE – The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is calling for bids to supply 144.79 metric tons (319,200 pounds) of chum salmon for the 2027 Fishery-Independent Setline Survey (FISS). Bids on all or a part of this amount are welcome.

The FISS is a critical component of the IPHC’s monitoring activities, and securing an adequate bait supply is essential to the successful monitoring and subsequent management of Pacific halibut for both countries.

Due to the scientific nature of the FISS, the IPHC requires food-grade chum salmon.

Chum salmon requirements:

- Headed and gutted (H&G).
- Individually quick frozen (IQF).
- Minimum grade is semi-bright # 2s (ASMI grade A-E).
- 2 to 3 kg (4 to 6 lb) and 3 to 4 kg (6 to 9 lb) preferred (>4 kg (>9 lb) considered)
- Product may be inspected by the IPHC Secretariat prior to purchase to ensure that the fish was flash frozen to ensure firm flesh and has been processed in a manner that maintains the required quality.
- Product must be toted in ~0.544 metric ton (1,200 lb) fiber totes.
- Information on the month of capture, the run for each unit/tote of fish purchased, and tote weight is required (the labeling of totes as ‘IPHC Research’ product before shipment is necessary.
- Must have been caught and processed no earlier than 1 June 2026.

The IPHC will consider the quantity, size, quality, price, and preseason storage or supply location when making purchases. To be included in initial purchase negotiations, please complete the information on the second page of this announcement and submit it to the IPHC Secretariat via e-mail: [email protected].

This call for bids is open until filled. Bids will be reviewed upon receipt and purchase agreements will be released to the parties by 1 September 2027. If there is a specific deadline needed for purchase agreements to be made sooner, please state that in your offer.

Please provide the following information if you would like to be included in purchase negotiations:

- Size
- Quality
- Quantity (specify in kg or lb)
- Price per kg or lb
- Preseason storage location

As part of our planning, the IPHC would also like information on timing, quantity, and location availability of chum salmon between the dates of 1 June and 31 August 2027, for possible in-season additional bait purchase. If you can provide in-season chum salmon, please expand on estimated quantity, timeframe, and location. If you offer additional services with your submission (i.e. storage or loading costs), please include an explanation with your response.

For further information please contact the IPHC Secretariat at [email protected] or +1-206-634-1838

27/07/2026

IPHC Job Opportunities: 2027 and 2028 IPHC Fisheries Data Specialist (Field)

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is seeking to hire Fisheries Data Specialists (Field) (4 openings) for deployment in ports coastwide (in Canada and the USA) for 2027 and 2028. This announcement serves as the notice of these opportunities.

The deadline for the initial review of applications is 09 August 2026.

You can find more information about the position and application details @ https://conta.cc/3VUZtl3

For further information please contact the IPHC Secretariat at [email protected] or 206-634-1838.

15/07/2026

Hello from St. Paul Island, AK!

This is my second year returning to St. Paul as an IPHC Fisheries Data Specialist (Field), and it's such a joy to be back. My job is to collect biological data on some of the most remotely fished Pacific halibut in the Bering Sea. The fishery up here is smaller than other ports around Alaska and in Canada, which makes it all the more important not to be left out.

The fishing period kicked off at the end of June, and everyone has been fishing hard whenever the weather allows. I'm looking forward to working alongside these hardworking, family-oriented boats as the season continues through the summer.

Bring on the rest of the summer!

-Kit

07/07/2026

Welcome to the Port of Seward, AK!

I have enjoyed 17 years of sampling here (1996-2003 and 2018-2026) as a Fisheries Data Specialist in the quest for conserving Pacific halibut and have met many incredible fishers, plant personnel, and other folks along the way—all who have made this a wonderful experience.

So far this year, I have sampled 260 fish, collecting an otolith, fin clip, weight and length from each fish. There have been many landings with large fish this fishing period. I enjoy seeing the larger fish, but sampling them can be somewhat challenging, as I need to lift them from a tote to my measuring table. I am so grateful for the wonderful people working alongside me on the docks who have always been willing to help, and because of this have never had a problem sampling large fish.

With 44% of the fishing period finished so far (3.5 months out of 8), commercial fishers across the IPHC Convention Area have landed approximately 32.5% of the allocated quota. With summer going fast and fall approaching with predictable fall storms, I wish all my fishers a safe and productive rest of the fishing period.

-Binget

18/06/2026

Greetings from the Capital!

We are halfway through the fishing period, and it has been a slow start to summer. Juneau has seen quite cold weather this year, from record snowfall over the winter to cooler temperatures through June. Everyone here in Juneau is patiently waiting for those Alaskan summers we know and love.

The weather may have been cooler and wetter this year, though the fishing period here in Juneau started out strong with decent-sized fish and good prices. It has been awesome reconnecting with everyone in this community, and it brings me great joy to still be immersed in the Pacific halibut fishery. Sampling here in Juneau has been a blast, collecting over a hundred otoliths and genetic samples from commercial landings so far. The data collected here in Juneau is significant to maintaining this fishery with a goal to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of fishers and locals.

I have been with the International Pacific Halibut Commission for 5 years now, and I still come to work every day excited to learn something new or have intriguing conversations with everyone I meet out on the dock.

- Phoenix

18/06/2026

Hi, it’s Lisa, from the IPHC in Port Hardy, BC, Canada!

Well, the year started off fast and furious with the first offload of Pacific halibut in Port Hardy on 30 March 2026. Since then, it’s been a steady offload of Pacific halibut in Hardy. It’s been great seeing and working with everyone back on the dock and, of course, captains and crews on the vessels. Crazy to think that even in a small community, we don’t often meet again until the next fishing period starts.
As of 15 June, the IPHC Regulatory Area 2B Commercial Fishery has attained 34.3% of its quota, with a total of 168 Landings.

The BC spot prawn fishery recently closed, and I want to give a shout out to all the Cove Fish plant workers in Port Hardy who had 2 long days working in record-breaking heat and then working BIG Pacific halibut DAYS… the BIG ONES are showing up now!

11/06/2026

Employment opportunity: Otolith Technician (Ageing)

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is seeking to hire an Otolith Technician (Ageing). The Otolith Technician (Ageing) is responsible for all activities related to determining Pacific halibut ages from otoliths. This announcement serves as the notice of opportunity in Seattle, Washington, USA.

The deadline for the initial review of applications is 29 June 2026. The positions will remain open until filled.

See the complete listing on the IPHC website Opportunities page for more information.

Opportunities The IPHC is a public international organization and is not restricted by the nationality of candidates. IPHC Position Vacancies Otolith Technician (Ageing) IPHC Consultant Offers NO CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES IPHC Research Charters NO CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES IPHC Fishery-independent Setline S...

08/06/2026

Hello from the “Little Norway” of Alaska!

This is Zephan, the IPHC’s Fisheries Data Specialist (Field) here in Petersburg, Alaska. Petersburg was founded in the 1890s by Norwegian immigrant Peter Buschman who establish a cannery in the area. The town’s Norwegian influence remains today as does its importance as a fishing town. In 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service ranked Petersburg the nation’s 15th most lucrative port by volume and 13th for value, and it remains a busy one today.

That means I am spending a lot of time at the docks collecting biological data from landed Pacific halibut catch: length, weight, tissue samples, and otoliths. I also collect and edit fishing logbook data from vessel captains as well and ask them questions as needed. I am grateful for the industry’s cooperation and willingness to aid science-backed management strategies.

08/06/2026

Hello from Kodiak, Alaska!

We are two months into the Pacific halibut season, and already we are seeing a big turnout of vessels coming in from many different IPHC regulatory areas! In just two short months, I have sampled over a hundred Pacific halibut and expect to double that by the time summer is over.

Collecting samples from commercial landings is important because it allows us to assess how well the overall population of Pacific halibut is doing by randomly selecting a percentage of fish from the landings. By collecting an ear bone called the otolith and a fin clip from these selected fish, our scientists are able to determine the age and gender of an individual Pacific halibut. With that information, we can see a better picture of the structure of the Pacific halibut stock!

This is my third season working with the IPHC as a Fisheries Data Specialist (Field) in multiple ports, but so far Kodiak has been a unique and fun experience! I look forward to getting to know the community more and working with you all in the future!

Until next time,

Jared