0. back

Halibut, Pacific

(U.S. Wild-caught)

Rating:
Most Pacific halibut is caught with bottom longlines that cause little habitat damage and have low levels of accidental catch.

The Pacific halibut fisheries of Alaska, British Columbia and Washington are certified as sustainable to the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) .

Market Names:
Alaskan Halibut

Summary:
Pacific halibut is a bottom-dwelling groundfish that nestles into the sandy seafloor, often seen with only its eyes and mouth uncovered. Primarily found in the coastal North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, it migrates hundreds of miles from shallow coastal waters to the deep, open ocean to spawn in winter. Most return, year after year, to the same coastal feeding grounds

Most Pacific halibut are caught in Alaska where fishing for Pacific halibut is strictly limited to the bottom longlining method, which causes little habitat damage or bycatch. Pacific halibut is also caught using troll lines and bottom trawl nets.

The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) manages Pacific halibut in Alaska. Each year, the IPHC conducts a population assessment and reviews independent assessments to set annual catch limits. These limits are allocated among licensed fishing vessels, giving each boat a prescribed percentage of the total. This process has resulted in longer fishing seasons, while keeping the population healthy and abundant. As a result, we recommend Pacific halibut from the U.S. as a "Best Choice."

0. back