THE PACIFIC HALIBUT 



F. Heward Bell and Gilbert St-Pierre 



INTRODUCTION 



This report briefly reviews items of general interest regarding the Pacific halibut 

 and the management of the fishery. It is primarily designed to answer some of the 

 questions received by the International Pacific Halibut Commission from many 

 interested groups and individuals, including students at nearly all educational levels. 



THE SPECIES AND LIFE HISTORY 



Scientific and Common Names 



The scientific name for Pacific halibut is Hippoglossus hippoglossus stenolepis 

 (Vernidub). In 1936 A I. F. Vernidub proposed that Pacific halibut should be re- 

 garded as a variety of Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus rather than a new 

 species Hippoglossus stenolepis as Schmidt had indicated in 1904. 



The common name of the species is halibut. It came from the earlier "holibut" 

 which was used as far back as the 13th Century. It is derived from the Middle English 

 "halybutte", i.e. the flatfish (butte) that was to be eaten on holy (haly) days. 



In commerce and with the public, where common names have their main if not 

 only relevance, the word halibut has been used exclusively to identify the genus 

 Hippoglossus. With ichthyologists, that is those who study fish, some use the word 

 halibut in the common name of other large flounders. They continue to conform to 

 a practice initiated by Jordan, an early ichthyologist, despite the fact that most of 

 that worker's common names for fishes have now been replaced. Also, those wishing 

 to take advantage of consumers have used the name halibut in identifying other- 

 flounders. In 1969 the United States and Canada ruled against use of such misnomers 

 in commerce to prevent deception of the public. 



General Appearance or Morphology 



Halibut are more elongated or fusiform than most flatfishes, having a maximum 

 width of about one-third the length. The small scales are well buried in the skin, the 

 lateral line has a pronounced arch above the pectoral fin, and the end of the caudal 

 fin or tail is crescent-shaped or lunate (Figure 1). 



Figure 1. Adult Pacific halibut. 



