FAO Fisheries & Aquaculture - Regional fishery bodies (RFB)

Regional Fishery Bodies Summary Descriptions

International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC)

Mission
Area of competence
Legal framework
Languages
Organizations involved
Structure
Contacts

MissionObjectives The main objective of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) is the preservation of the halibut fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea. Main Function The main functions of the IPHC, which meets annually to review all regulatory proposals, are:

to conduct and coordinate scientific studies relating to the halibut fishery and to formulate regulations designed to develop the stocks of halibut to those levels that permit optima utilization;

to submit regulations, mainly the total allowable catch of halibut in the Convention Area, to the two governments for approval. Upon approval, the regulations are enforced by the appropriate agencies of both governments.

Area of competence North Pacific Ocean, including the Bering Sea.

IPHC area of competence - High seas, National waters

Launch the RFBs map viewer

The designations employed and the presentation of material in the map(s) are for illustration only and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal or constitutional status of any country, territory or sea area, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

Legal framework Established by the Convention for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery, signed in Washington, DC, the United States of America, on 2 March 1923. The Convention was amended in 1930 and 1937. A new Convention between Canada and the United States of America for the Preservation of the Halibut Fishery of the Northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea was signed in Ottawa, Canada, on 2 March 1953 and entered into force on 28 October 1953. When the two countries extended their fishery jurisdictions, a Protocol Amending the Convention was signed in Washington, DC, the United States of America, on 29 March 1979 and entered into force on 15 October 1980.
http://www.iphc.washington.edu/halcom/history/1923us.htm LanguagesEnglish. Organizations involved

Member: Canada, United States of America.

StructurePrincipal Body The IPHC conducts and coordinates scientific studies relating to the halibut fishery and formulates regulations and measures, which are submitted to the two governments (Canada and the United States of America). The IPHC has regulatory powers, and sets the total allowable catch of halibut in the Convention Area. The IPHC meets annually to review all regulatory proposals, including those made by the scientific staff and the subsidiary advisory bodies. Subsidiary bodies

Conference Board: established in 1931. It includes representatives of commercial, recreational, subsistence, and first nations/native American harvesters.
Processor Advisory Group: established in 1996. It represents halibut processors
Research Advisory Board: established in 1999. It offers suggestions to the IPHC Director and staff on research studies that should be conducted and advice on research proposals developed by IPHC staff.

Primary contact:

IPHC Seattle Staff

2320 W. Commodore Way Suite 300

Seattle

Washington

98199-1287

USA

Telephone: (206) 634-1838

Fax: (206) 632-2983

Web site: http://www.iphc.int

Enquiry information:

Web site: http://www.iphc.int/contacts.html



Home	About us	Activities	Statistics	GeoInfo	Meetings and News	Publications	Fact Sheets

Logon name:
Password:
×