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The U.S. North Pacific Halibut and the U.S. North Pacific Sablefish fisheries operating in territorial waters off the coast of Alaska, Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska have been re-certified for a further five years by the Marine Stewardship Council as sustainable and well-managed fisheries (click here).

North Pacific Halibut Hippoglosus stenolepis is caught by a demersal longline fishery. Besides Alaska, a small portion of the harvest occurs off the coast of Washington.  The United States and Canadian Governments co-manage halibut stocks through the International Pacific Halibut Commission.

North Pacific Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria, also known as black cod, is caught by demersal longlines in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska.

Both fisheries have the potential to interact with the three ACAP-listed albatrosses (genus Phoebastria) that breed in the North Pacific, as well as with trans-equatorial Puffinus shearwaters and other seabirds.

John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 25 August 2011