The 'Pacific halibut', ''Hippoglossus stenolepis'', is a large
flatfish found in the northern
Pacific Ocean closely related to the Atlantic
Halibut. Its range is from the
Bering Sea, the
Aleutian Islands and
HokkaidÅ,
Japan to
Baja California,
Mexico. The largest reported specimen was 267 cm and they can reach an age of 42 years
[1]. They can be found on a range of bottoms. The young individuals are usually found close to the shore, whereas the older individuals prefer deeper water, especially in the winter. It is a voracious predator and feeds on
fish,
squid,
crabs,
clams and other
invertebrates. It is treasured by fishermen because of its great size and tasty white meat.
Directed commercial fisheries usually use
longline gear but halibut are also caught along with many other bottom-dwelling fish by
trawlers. Longline fishers in the U.S. and Canada are required to use
circle hooks. Pacific Halibut are also an important sport fish in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. Halibut quotas are set annually by the International Pacific Halibut Commission. Washington, British Columbian, and Alaskan native groups also have important halibut fisheries.
See the article on
halibut for more details.
References
1.
★ Clover, Charles. 2004. ''The End of the Line: How overfishing is changing the world and what we eat''. Ebury Press, London. ISBN 0-09-189780-7
External links
★
International Pacific Halibut Commission
★
Alaska Department of Fish & Game
★
California Halibut fishing see: Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby
★
Nutrition facts