INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC HALIBUT COMMISSION IPHC
How Pacific Halibut Decisions Take Shape.
IPHC is the Canada–United States commission responsible for conserving and managing the shared Pacific halibut stock. Its science and annual decisions create the coastwide framework that reaches all the way to Southeast Alaska’s Area 2C.
A 100-foot view for anyone who wants to understand the system.
1923Convention signed by Canada and the United States
2 nationsOne international management partnership
6 commissionersThree appointed by each country
1 shared stockPacific halibut move across borders and management areas
THE BIG PICTURE
One stock. Shared responsibility.
Pacific halibut do not stay inside political borders. IPHC gives Canada and the United States one scientific and decision-making table for the resource. The Commission combines field data, fishery information, stock assessment, public input, and risk analysis to recommend catch limits and fishery regulations each year.
01 • OBSERVE
Measure the Stock
Run the fishery-independent setline survey, collect biological samples, and combine survey and fishery information from across the coast.
02 • UNDERSTAND
Assess Status & Risk
Use stock assessment and projections to estimate abundance, trends, uncertainty, and the tradeoffs among possible harvest levels.
03 • DECIDE
Set the Framework
Commissioners decide mortality limits, catch limits by regulatory area, fishing periods, and other international fishery measures.
04 • REPEAT
Monitor & Adapt
Track removals and fishery performance, review new science, and bring the next year’s information back through the process.
WHERE IPHC FITS
The decision does not stop at one table.
Think of Pacific halibut management as a handoff. Science and coastwide conservation come first; domestic agencies then translate that framework into allocations and fishery-specific measures.
Ocean + Fisheries
Survey results, biological samples, fishery removals, observer data, research, and experience from people on the water.
IPHC
Assesses the shared stock and sets the coastwide scientific, catch, and regulatory framework by area.
U.S. + Canada
Domestic councils and agencies allocate among sectors and implement many fishery-specific rules.
People + Communities
Commercial, sport, guided sport, subsistence, and Indigenous fisheries operate within the resulting rules.
For Alaska’s guided halibut fishery: IPHC sets the international framework. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries then handle U.S. allocations and many annual charter measures inside that framework.
A COASTWIDE STOCK, MANAGED BY AREA
From the Bering Sea to California.
IPHC divides Convention waters into regulatory areas so annual fishery limits and measures can reflect geography and the distribution of the stock. The areas form one connected system rather than isolated populations.
A simplified north-to-south view. Area 2C covers Southeast Alaska; 2B is British Columbia; 2A is Washington, Oregon, and California.
Area 2C is SEAGO’s home water.
What happens in the coastwide stock assessment and at the IPHC table helps determine the catch framework that domestic managers work within for Southeast Alaska.
THE ANNUAL DECISION CYCLE
Evidence moves toward a public decision.
The work is continuous, but these six stages show how information becomes an annual management framework. Meetings, papers, recordings, and many opportunities for public observation or input are posted by IPHC.
01
Collect Data
Survey crews, scientists, agencies, and fisheries provide biological, catch, and fishery information throughout the year.
02
Assess the Stock
Scientists estimate stock status and project the risks and tradeoffs associated with different harvest levels.
03
Interim Meeting
In late fall, the Commission reviews preliminary assessment results, projections, and emerging management issues.
04
Public + Advisory Input
Advisory bodies, agencies, sectors, communities, and members of the public bring proposals, testimony, and practical knowledge.
05
Annual Meeting
Typically in January, commissioners consider final science and public input, then decide limits, regulations, and recommendations.
06
Implement + Monitor
Canada and the United States approve and implement measures; performance is tracked and the next cycle begins.
Timing and individual agenda items can change from year to year. Use the official IPHC meeting pages for current dates, documents, webcast details, and participation instructions.
WHO IS AT THE TABLE?
Science, governance, and lived experience.
The Commission is the decision-making body, but the annual process draws on a much wider network of scientists, agencies, fishery participants, communities, and members of the public.
01
Commissioners
Six commissioners—three appointed by Canada and three by the United States—consider the science, advice, proposals, and public record before making Commission decisions.
02
Secretariat + Scientists
Staff conduct research and monitoring, build the stock assessment, evaluate risk, prepare meeting papers, organize the process, and support implementation.
03
Advisory Bodies + Public
Fishing sectors, Indigenous and tribal interests, processors, agencies, communities, researchers, and members of the public bring proposals, advice, testimony, and practical experience.
The important point: IPHC decisions are made by commissioners, but the record they act on is built by many people. Public participation is strongest when it arrives early, clearly, and with useful evidence.
WHY THIS MATTERS IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA
Area 2C starts with coastwide science.
For Southeast Alaska, the IPHC process influences the resource outlook, the Area 2C catch framework, and the space available for domestic managers to shape commercial, guided sport, unguided sport, and subsistence fisheries. That makes the quality of the science—and timely participation in the process—directly relevant to local businesses, anglers, and communities.
Southeast Alaska
IPHC sets the overall framework for the area. The North Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries then apply U.S. allocation and management processes, including annual measures for the guided halibut fishery.
SEAGO • 01
Follow the Science
Track assessment updates, survey information, projections, and proposed management changes.
SEAGO • 02
Carry Fleet Experience
Bring Southeast Alaska sport fishing realities into meetings, comments, and relationships.
SEAGO • 03
Engage at the Right Time
Participate before decisions are final—when practical experience can still improve the record.
SEAGO • 04
Report Back
Translate complex developments into clear information about what happened and why it matters.
GO TO THE SOURCE
Official pages worth bookmarking.
These links lead directly to IPHC and other official management sources. Use them for current meeting dates, documents, data, regulations, and participation information.
About IPHC
The Convention, Commission structure, commissioners, Secretariat, and background.
Meetings
Upcoming sessions, agendas, documents, reports, recordings, and public access details.
Fishery Regulations
The current IPHC fishery regulations and links to official domestic publication.
Stock Assessment
How the stock is assessed, how projections work, and how the harvest decision table shows risk.
FISS Survey Data
Fishery-independent survey information, regulatory areas, and downloadable biological data.
Alaska Guided Halibut
The domestic management role of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.
FOLLOW THE PROCESS. BRING US WHAT YOU ARE SEEING.
Southeast Alaska belongs in the conversation.
SEAGO helps connect the people who know this fishery with the processes shaping its future. Follow upcoming meetings, share local experience, and strengthen the regional voice.