Limiting of Catch Asked To Protect
Halibut Fisheries
Hie halibut fisheries on the Paci
fic Coast are in a “very serious con
dition," according to the Interna
tional Fisheries Commission, and ad
ditional restrictions must be taken
if the halibut are to be saved.
This was stated by the Commis
sion in a report made public by the
Department of State on June 7.
The Commission was established
alter the signing of the United
States-Canadian halibut treaty Oc
tober 21, 1 92 4, at which time it was
also decided to prohibit halibut fisli -
iug on the Pacific Coast during three
winter months, November 15 to Feb
ruary 15, each year.
More Restriction Sought
This restriction, however, tli ‘
Commission finds is not sufficient,
since the winter season was always
an expensive one in which to fish,
ai d during the more profitable sum
mer months. As a result the num
ber of halibut caught has increased
rather than decreased.
Due to the fact that halibut re
quire for 12 to 2 5 years to ma
ture, the Commission finds that the
species is in serious danger unlef-.s
further restrictions aie imposed.
Accordingly it recommends that
two areas known as “nurseries'
near the Timbered Islands. Alaska
and Massett, British Columbia,
should be closed to fishing.
The Commission also recommends
that certain areas be established
within which the total catch may he
reduced by a predetermined figure.
This is aimed to prevent the redoub;
ing of activity on the part of fish
ermen and the using of a larger
amount of gear.
It is also recommended that cer
tain destructive types of gear be
prohibited, that the present closed
season be extended by an additional
two weeks at its beginning, and that
all vessels fishing in treaty waters
must be licensed.
'Hie report of the International
F sheries Commission, made public
b\ the Department of State, follows
in lull text:
The treaty between Canada and
the United States for the preserva
tion of tile halibut fishery of the nor
thern Pacific Ocean including Bell
ring Sea, was ratified on October 21,
1!>24. It is remarkable from tin;
double standpoint that it is the first
treaty entered into by Canada as a
nation and that it is the first effec
tive one anywhere having for its ob
ject the conservation of a threaten
ed high seas fishery.
It, therefore, serves as a preced
ent for international cooperative con
hot of sea fisheries, where such is
necessary. This forms an important
additional reason why success should
he achieved under it.
The treaty provides an entire cos
sat>on of halibut fishing for three
months each year. This was regard
ed, at the time it was entered into, as
an essental minimum of protection.
It also provided for the appoint
ment of an International Fisheries
Commission, the duties of which art
to make recommendations regarding
the need for modification of the close
season, to make a thorough investi
gation into the life history of the
Pacific halibut, and to make recom
mendations as to the regulation of
the fishery preservation and develop
ment.
The specific provisions of the con
vention dealing with these phases
follow:
“The nationals and inhabitants
and the fishing vessels and boats of
the Dominion of Canada and of the
United States, respectively, are here
by prohibited from fishing for hali
but (Hippoglossus) both in the ter
ritorial waters and in the high seas
off the western coast of the Domin
ion of Canada and of the United
States, including Behring Sea, from
the 15th day of November next after
the date of the exchange of ratifica
tions of this convention, to the 15th
day of the following February, both
days inclusive, and within the same
period yearly thereafter, provided
that upon the recommendation of
tae International Fisheries Commiss
ion hereinafter described this close
season may be modified or suspended
at any time after the expiration of
three such seasons, by a special
agreement concluded and duly rati
fied by the high contracting parties.
Close Season Provided By
Terms of Convention
“The high contracting parties
agree to appoint within two months
afler the exchange of ratifications of
tl is convention, a commission to be
known as the International Fisheries
Commission, consisting of four mem
bers, two to be appointed by each
party.
“This commission shall continue
t- exist so long as this convention
shall remain in force. Each party
shall pay the salaries and expenses
ot its own members and joint expen
ses incurred by the commission shall
be paid by the two high cntracting
parties in equal moieties.
“The commission shall make a
thorough investigation into the life
history of the Pacific halibut, and
such investigation shall be under
taken as soon as practicable. The
commission shall report the results
of its investigation to the two gov
ernments and shall make recom
mendations as to the regulation of
the halibut fishery of the North Pa
cific Ocean, including the Behring
Sea, which may seem desirable for its
preservation and development.”
The undersigned having been ap
pointed commissioners under the
treaty by their respective Govern