The International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC),
originally called the International Fisheries Commission, was established in
1923 by a Convention between the governments of Canada and the United States of
America. Its mandate is research on and management of the stocks of Pacific
halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) within the Convention waters of both
nations. The IPHC consists of three government-appointed commissioners
for each country who serve their terms at the pleasure of the President of the
United States and the Canadian government respectively.
The IPHC, an International Fisheries Organization, receives
monies from both the U.S. and Canadian governments to support a Director and
staff. Annually, the IPHC meets to conduct the business of the Commission. At
this annual meeting the budgets, research plans, biomass estimates, catch
recommendations, as well as regulatory proposals are discussed and approved then
forwarded to the respective governments for implementation. The IPHC staff and
offices are currently located on the University
of Washington campus.
The IPHC is considered a public international organization
and is entitled to enjoy the privileges, exemptions, and immunities conferred by
the International Organizations Immunities Act (conferred rights as a foreign
government), except those pursuant to Sections 4(b), 4(e), and 5 (a) of that Act
(U.S. Presidential Executive Order 11059). In the 1960s, the IPHC was granted
503(c) status as a not-for-profit organization and is considered part of the
U.S. Federal government for purchasing and travel. As well, the IPHC has had a
long-term relationship with the University of Washington, and has been granted
affiliate status and the ability to purchase through the university as an
educational organization.
The IPHC conducts numerous projects annually to support both major mandates
– stock assessment and basic halibut biology. Current projects include
standardized stock assessment fishing surveys from northern California to the
end of the Aleutian Islands, as well as field sampling in major fishing ports to
collect scientific information from the halibut fleet. In conjunction with these
ongoing programs, the IPHC conducts numerous biological and scientific
experiments to further the understanding and information about Pacific halibut.
The Commission encourages public participation in the management of the
resource and regularly seeks advice from the Conference Board, the
Processor Advisory Group (PAG), and various State and Federal agencies.
The Conference Board is a panel representing Canadian and American
commercial and sport halibut fishers. Created in 1931 by the Commission, the Board
gives the IPHC the fishers' perspective on Commission proposals presented at Annual Meetings. Members are designated by union and vessel
owner organizations from both nations.
The Processor Advisory Group (PAG), as the name suggests, represents
halibut processors. Like the Conference Board, PAG lends its opinion regarding
Commission proposals and offers recommendations at IPHC Annual Meetings. The group
was formed in 1996.
The Research Advisory Board (RAB) formed in 1999. It consists of both fishers and processors who
offer suggestions to the Director and staff on
where Commission research should focus.
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