104 V. S. BUREAU OF FISHERIES 



HALIBUT FISHERY 



Marked improvement in the halibut trade was evidenced in 1923 

 by the high price received and the constant demand for halibut. 

 Production was larger than in 1922. but owing to the fact that many 

 American boats delivered their fares at Prince Rupert. British 

 Columbia, the quantity credited to Alaska is not greatly in excess of 

 that in 1922. 



On March 2, 1923, a convention was concluded between the United 

 States and Great Britain for the purpose of securing the preserva- 

 tion of the halibut fishery of the northern Pacific Ocean. The con- 

 vention w^as ratified by Canada on March 2, 1923, and by the United 

 States on May 31, 1924. The terms of the convention provided that 

 it shall remain in force for a period of five years and thereafter until 

 two years from the date when either of the contracting parties shall 

 give notice to the other of a desire to terminate it. The convention 

 comes into force on the day of the exchange of ratifications.- Provi- 

 sion is made for an International Fisheries Commission consisting 

 of four members, two to be appointed by each party to the conven- 

 tion. This commission wdll continue in existence so long as the con- 

 vention remains in force. It will make a thorough investigation 

 into the life history of the Pacific halibut and will report findings 

 and make recommendations in regard to regulations for the halibut 

 fishery of the North Pacific. After the close season provided by the 

 convention has been in effect for three seasons it may be modified or 

 suspended by the contracting countries by special agreement upon 

 recommendation by the commission. Legislation has been enacted 

 by Canada to give effect to the convention. The Northern Pacific 

 Halibut Act, approved June T, 1924, gives effect to the convention on 

 the part of the United States. 



A close season is provided for halibut covering the period from 

 November 16 in any year to February 1.5 in the next following year, 

 both dates inclusive. The close season applies to the Territorial 

 waters contiguous to the western coast of the United States and of 

 Alaska, the Territorial waters contiguous to the western coast of 

 Canada, and the high seas, including Bering Sea, extending Avesterly 

 from the limits of the territorial waters of the United States and of 

 Canada. The use of ports of the Ignited States and of Canada in 

 connection with unlawful fishery operations is forbidden. Penalties 

 for violation of the law are fixed, and provision is made for patrol, 

 searches, seizures, and forfeitures in connection with the enforce- 

 ment of the law. As a result of this convention and enabling legis- 

 lation the first close season for halibut will begin November 16, 1924. 



Fishing banks off the coast of Alaska have for a number of years 

 been the most important source of Pacific coast halibut, yet during 

 the past 10 years — 1914 to 1923 — the quantity actually landed at 

 Alaskan ports has amounted to only about one-third of the total 

 American Pacific coast catch. The principal reason for this is found 

 in the fact that Prince Rupert and Vancouver, British Columbia, 

 and Seattle, Wash., are in direct touch with consuming centers by 

 rail, while Alaska must ship by boat and then by rail via one of 

 these three railroad terminals. 



In 1923, 12,173,274 pounds of halibut were landed in Alaska, of 

 which 7,949,132 pounds w^ere shipped to Seattle, Wash., and 4,224,- 



- Ratifleations were exchanged Oct. 21, 1924. 



